Page 51 of The Thief
"Tell me about Sullivan," I say.
"Real name's Benjamin Sullivan. Thirty-eight, married, two kids. Been working with the Harringtons since he got out of the army. Clean record, no outstanding debts, no obvious vulnerabilities except his family."
"And his wife?"
"Sarah Sullivan. Thirty-five, works as a nurse. Trace cornered her at a Christmas party, tried to force himself on her. When she fought back, he beat her unconscious."
"Witnesses?"
"None willing to talk. But Sullivan found out and his wife tried to file charges. Trace made them disappear and had Sarah transferred to a different hospital where she couldn't cause trouble."
"So he's been planning this for over a year."
"Looks like it. Lorenzo says he's smart, patient, careful. Not the type to rush into anything without thinking it through."
Good. Revenge is a dish best served cold, but it's also a dish best served right. No point trading Trace's life for Sullivan's if we fuck up the approach.
"What's he offering?"
"Full access to Trace's operations. Schedules, security details, financial records, the works. Everything we need to put together a comprehensive hit."
"In exchange for what?"
"Trace's head on a plate. Literally. Wants proof the bastard's dead."
Fair trade. Sullivan gets his revenge, and we get Trace off our backs permanently. Everyone wins except the man who started this war.
"Lorenzo trusts him?"
"As much as Lorenzo trusts anyone. He says Sullivan's got too much to lose to be playing games."
"Can I ask you something?" Stephen says after a moment of silence.
"Shoot."
"This girl. Alastríona. What is she to you?"
Direct question. The kind Stephen only asks when he's worried about something.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean yesterday you were ready to tear Maverick's head off when he questioned your feelings for her. I mean you look like a man who's been thinking about something other than revenge. I mean I've known you for fifteen years, and I've never seen you like this."
Like what? Confused? Distracted? Compromised by emotions I don't know how to handle?
"I don't know," I say honestly.
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only answer I've got."
Stephen nods, understanding. Sometimes the truth is that you don't know the truth.
"She's beautiful," he says, and I know that he’s seen the dossier on her. Not to mention, the bastard has been keeping tabs on me since I’ve been back in Dublin. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s been watching me.
"Yeah."
"Smart, too. Can see it in her eyes."
