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“What have you been dealing with?”

“Police have caught three of our groups. They caught Lev and three others doing an arms deal. Little Ava was questioned about a hit we approved three months ago, which means the cops got some kind of tip. On top of that, the laundromat that covers our gambling hall, and the bookies were raided. Luckily, we were able to cover the back room as planned, but it was close,” Hunter admits, folding in on himself.

“It’s too much of a coincidence with the timeframe given. Someone is stirring the pot,” I say.

“And the prints ... it’s someone who’s been in here, or knows more than they should,” Hunter agrees. “What do they know about Valerie? What if they come after her at the clinic? What if they ruin her reputation, Chase?”

“Valerie!” I remember, blinking in surprise. “We left her with Father.”

“Shit.” Hunter hurries down the stairs while trying to remain calm. When he sees Lief walking with some security guys, giving clear orders, he picks up the pace. “They’re going to kill each other.”

We open the doors to the conference room and find Valerie and our father sitting right next to each other.

“Okay, so based on what Lief has said about the raids, we should look at who was aware of these things. Could it be some undercover officer you found out?” Valerie asks.

“Killed.”

“All of them?”

Father rubs his jaw instead of scoffing at her. “About ten ... maybe twelve years ago, there were a number of raids. On weapon deals, gambling halls, hits. We found two moles, but there was a man I wanted to investigate ... we only found two fingers and a tooth. We received a picture of him dead the next day – assumed it was the Italians. He was ... he was a good boy.”

“How old?” Valerie asks.

I bristle and see Hunter’s cheeks go red.

“It wasn’t him, Valerie,” my father says. “He was like a son to me.”

“Mr. Volkov, this respect thing we have–it goes both ways. I trust your instincts. They’ve kept the men I love alive, they’ve kept you moving forward. Right now, we have to explore every possibility. How often do the Italians send pictures and not bodies?”

“We buried him, Valerie. Even if he was in pieces when wegothim back, he’s buried. Dead at twenty-five,” Father says as his voice fails him.

Valerie pats his hand. He pulls away and clears his throat. “Not the kind of man to sign off XOXO.”

“It’s a mystery wrapped in more confusion. Who would create a puzzle like this, call the police with tips, and expect an answer to their question without a way to contact them?” Valerie asks while leaning back and rolling out her neck.

“No clue,” Hunt says.

Valerie looks back at us. I can see the exhaustion written on her face, the disappointment sagging her shoulders down. She doesn’t like puzzles she can’t solve.

“You look exhausted, baby doll,” I murmur. “Why don’t we get some rest?”

“No, way! We only have like ... five hours before an answer is expected and we have nothing on the person. We need the upper hand here,” she insists.

I smile. “I am good at putting things together, so I can handle-”

“What about the prints?” She turns all the way around in her chair. “I know that you’re amazing when it comes to hacking databases. Were you able to get something there? You’re full of answers.”

Hunter walks to her and rubs her back. “Let’s take a nap.”

“I’m fine. I just need an energy drink or ... or coffee. Chase!” She insists.

“Two prints of known dead men and the last print didn’t come back as anyone,” I admit, watching Valerie sigh. She nibbles her bottom lip and rests her chin on the back of the chair. I can see the wheels turning her head. I blink a few times. “Wait, what you said about someone knowing the gambling hall, about hits, and about the weapons trade. Dad, we limit that knowledge, don’t we?”

“We do,” he agrees.

“We set up the laundromat twelve years ago and only those who go and three security know at a time. Sven was the first. Lief wouldn’t do this–he’d never threaten us. Hunter, the cameras?” I ask.

“The usual mailman delivered it, just much earlier than normal,” Hunter informs us.

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