Page 48 of Deadly Threat
“Horvat has sided with Newt against King,” Malachi stated. “Big surprise.”
“No loyalty among criminals,” Thomas added.
Harris pointed at Ronni. “We need intel on all incoming flights, including private.”
She sidled up next to Bobby and he began typing. “On it.”
“You know…” Thomas sat forward. “If Horvat is after Mia, we could pull a fast one on them both.”
“No,” Malachi said.
“What do you mean?” Mia asked.
Thomas tucked his phone away. “Use you as bait to capture him, get him to rat out King and cough up Amber’s whereabouts.”
Malachi wanted to skin him. Harris looked unhappy about the idea as well. “She’s not bait,” Malachi stated.
Mia studied Thomas. “I’ll do it.”
“Forget it,” Harris intervened. “You’re not going undercover.”
Mia gripped the table. “It’s my sister. I’ll do whatever it takes to find her.”
Harris stared her down. “No.”
“But—”
He held up a hand. “I can have you escorted out of here and put on lockdown if you want to push me.”
She pressed her lips together and sat back. “I don’t like threats.”
“I don’t like a lot of things, Ms. Livingston.” He shot a glare at Malachi, implying he was one of them. “But your safety and that of my team is my first concern. I will not jeopardize either in order for you to like me.”
Caleb finished his pizza. “Um, better get those questions ready. Clock’s a-tickin’.”
The team all pitched in as Malachi wrote them out. He secretly admired Mia’s gumption with Harris. He and Thomas instructed Malachi on additional questions, and Sam prepped her on how to handle the interview. When the call came through, she was ready. The rest of them stayed out of the camera’s view.
“Constance,” Mia said. “Thank you for speaking with me tonight.”
“Mia?” The woman on the other end appeared happily surprised. “They didn’t tell me it was you who wanted to talk to me. It’s good to see you. I’m so sorry about what happened.”
Mia hesitated, then recovered. “I need to ask you about this man.” She put the side-by-side pictures of Horvat up. Did you know him?”
“Leo. Yes.”
Mia put the photo down. “How?”
A heavy sigh. “He was my boyfriend. He forced me to steal those funds.”
Mia looked puzzled. “You never told us this. Why didn’t you inform the police?”
“I couldn’t! He threatened to kill my mother if I did.”
Mia pretended to make a note. “That must have been frightening. Do you know where he is now?”
“No, and I hope he rots in hell.”
Mia studied the list, held up another image. “Why did this man, Jamarion King, visit you? You do know who he is, right?”
