Page 94 of Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad World

There was a stunned silence while the team processed that information.

“I know. It isn’t much,” Abasi said at last. “But you need to remember they’re still a relatively small and new operation. Plus, that amount doesn’t take into account their assets.”

Noah almost laughed at his blasé attitude. “Forty million sure sounds like a lot of money to me.”

“And that’s why you aren’t a criminal.”

“Yeah,” Noah drawled. “That’sthe only reason.”

Abasi cocked an eyebrow. “Escobar’s fortune was around thirty billion when he died. The Gambino family was worth about five hundred million during Gotti’s reign. Makes forty million seem like small change.”

Rochelle sat back in her seat. “So, we have forty million worth ofsmall changein a hidden, secure account, right?”

“Yep.” Evan grinned. “But it doesn’t need to stay there. If we split it, we could all retire on our share. It’d be roughly four and a half million each.”

“When you think about it,” Harris said morosely, “that wouldn’t go very far in today’s economy. Bloody Boomers and their inflation,” he muttered.

“The money won’t stay there,” Rochelle said firmly. “And it isn’t going into our pockets either. Forty million will go a long way toward helping people the Demons have hurt. Katrina, do you have access to the account?”

It was Evan who answered. “I set her up this morning.”

Rochelle pinned him with her schoolteacher stare. “And you’re absolutely sure there’s no way any donations made from that account can be traced back to us or the Demons?”

“She can throw it around like confetti.” Evan sounded confident. “There won’t be any blowback.”

“Good.” Rochelle nodded at Katrina. “Start giving it away.”

“That’s a lot of responsibility,” Katrina said. “Are you sure you want only me to handle it? Aren’t you worried I might just transfer it all to my account and disappear?”

Rochelle smiled reassuringly. “Pull in help if it makes you feel better, but I have no problem trusting you to distribute the money.” She cast a glance around the room, her eyes sparkling. “Couldn’t say the same for the rest of you.”

“Wise woman.” Abasi grinned at her.

“Does the money have to be donated in America?” Katrina traced a pattern on the desk in front of her with her fingertip. “There’s a small group in Invertary, Scotland that works with abused women; they could use some help too.”

“Like I said, whatever you think fits. Just do good with it.” Rochelle turned back to the rest of the team and was about to say something more when the office door burst open.

“What the hell have you done now?” Detective Johnson stalked into the room, his partner in tow.

“And are there more donuts?” McMillan glanced around, looking hopeful.

Noah had grabbed his gun at their unannounced entrance, and from the way his team was discreetly re-holstering their weapons, he wasn’t the only one.

Rochelle gave the detectives a weary look before addressing Violet, who stood behind them. “I thought we talked about not letting anyone into the building without telling me first.”

Violet shrugged. “I figured the Keystone Cops were exempt. Just be grateful I escorted them up here and didn’t let them wander around on their own.” With that, she turned on her heel and left.

“It’s nothing personal,” Rochelle told the detectives as they helped themselves to coffee. “It’s about security.”

“Forget it. We have bigger problems.” Johnson pulled out a chair. “Somebody tried to take out Eddie Hanson about an hour ago. Please tell me it wasn’t you.”

Noah sat forward in his seat. “It wasn’t us. Seriously, the whole team has been here and accounted for all morning.”

“And I suppose the only corroboration you have for thesealibisis from each other?” McMillan drawled, frowning at the lack of snacks to go with his coffee.

“You want to tell us what happened?” Noah asked, ignoring the sugar-deprived detective.

It was his younger partner who replied. “Somebody drove by Eddie’s place and emptied an automatic weapon into his living room. Unfortunately for them, but not for Eddie, he wasn’t home at the time.” Johnson shared a worried glance with his partner. “We’re not exactly sure where he was… or where he is now.”