Live Wire (Ramsey Security #2)

"How does that tie into Marx?" I ask.

"Well we know Marx accessed the police reports involved in the abduction. He likely could have found the ones about Lorn. In them, the neighbors described Lorn's guests as Manson types. This rich and powerful guy in Hollywood was hanging out with strange people who howled at the moon. It wouldn't be too difficult to put things together if you knew what to look for. The cops never considered Lorn, so they never cared to look at his history."

"So you're saying Marx tracked down an old member and sent him to New York? That seems farfetched to me."

Minka frowns. "See, that's the thing. I can't imagine him finding any old members of the cult. The entire thing seems like Lorn's baby. We can't find anyone who cares about this obscure demon besides the creator of your show and his weird friends. If we assume the cult lived and died with Lorn, the guy in New York wasn't involved in the original attacks. He's Marx's guy."

Brad becomes very still next to me. Until now, he believed others manipulated Marx.

"He got the package into the hotel room," I say. "He wouldn't even look suspicious going to the floor since he was staying there too. He knew about the New York trip before our team did and set up everything for his trigger man."

"What about the heart in the hotel room?" Brad asks in nearly a whisper.

"We don't know where he got it. Might have paid a mortician or killed a prostitute. Forensics couldn't tell much, and no bodies have been found missing a heart. We won't really know unless we ask Marx."

My gaze focusing on Minka, I shake my head. She doesn't complain or try to change my mind. I can't do the job, and that's that. Nodding, she glances at Rafael.

"Are you okay with us doing this, Brad?" Minka asks. "If you're not, we'll take what we know to the police and let them sort it out. I'll be honest that what we have isn't much, and Marx will likely walk away from this thing."

Rafael adds, "He'll know we're onto him, and he's aware of what we do for a living. He'll probably go into hiding."

I know Brad can't make this call. Despite everything he says, taking Dennis Stein's life still bothers him. I can't ask him to order the torture and death of a man he thought of as a friend.

"Let's not get the cops involved," I say as Brad tenses next to me. "If we want Marx to run, we scare him ourselves. Spell out what we know and what we can do. Give him the option to run or end up in a shallow grave. He'll run, and we'll be able to keep the law out of our way. The less official this thing gets, the better for us who don't need the extra scrutiny."

Holding my hand, Brad studies my face. He's surprised I'm not pushing for Marx's death. I see his expression relax. He can't have more blood on his hands, but I can even if I don't spill it myself.

One day, I'll tell Brad the truth about what happened to Marx. He'll be angry, and we'll argue, but we'll work past it. Deep inside, Brad wants to take the bloody route. He needs to know his family is safe.

The Sloanes deserve to be truly free of danger, so I give them this gift even if my soul is dirtied more. I never feel guilty about the choice. Little Maven isn't making the call in her heartless way. Instead, Saskia is choosing to do what's best for those she loves.





31


Brad

Escaping the Past

Marx's disappearance is a big deal for a few days. The police interview me about the last time I saw him. I explain we hadn't spoken much since the New York City shooting, and I probably pissed him off by refusing to do more publicity. My answers aren't really lies, and the police seem satisfied with my statement.

Weeks later, the detective in charge of the missing person's case tells me that Marx emptied out his account and packed a suitcase. He also hints about drug and gambling problems likely sending my friend underground.

I have to admire the level of detail the Ramsey Security team uses when setting up a scene for the police. Marx is gone, and his disappearance solved without me knowing the dirty details. One day, I'll thank Saskia for making the choice I couldn't.

Whatever they learned from Marx before he disappeared, the team doesn't share with me, of course. I assume I'm safe since they end our contract and stop watching my every move. Saskia pretends to worry about the perimeter for a week or two before losing interest in the charade.

Despite her secrets, Saskia leaves her violent life in the past. She remains at my side, leaving the bloody work with Marx to her friends. The night he goes missing, she spends on the couch, watching The Woman in Black while struggling to knit.

"I'm making a baby blanket," she says, frowning at her efforts. "A really ugly baby blanket."

"Our baby will be beautiful enough to overcome even the ugliest blanket," I say, kissing her cheek.

"The correct answer was 'you're doing a great job.' How could you not know that?"

Grinning, I kiss her until she tosses the knitting tools aside and straddles me.