Page 27 of Mitch

“Henderson bought it but transferred it to Anton’s name straight after purchase.”

“That makes no sense.” Waggs crossed his arms and blew out a breath and angled his head to Lopez. “What do we know about Henderson Corp?”

“They make pesticides for agricultural farming. The owner, Verena Finch, is the daughter of Harold Charles who owns Orion Pharmaceuticals.”

Autumn drew in a sharp breath at the link to her old company. There was something she was missing, but she couldn’t figure out what or why.

“Henderson was formed when Finch married her second husband four years ago. Rumour is her father didn’t approve, and they had a huge falling out. Her husband Trenton has a background in farming and agriculture, and they set up the company shortly after they were married.”

“I still don’t understand what this has to do with Allen and Anton.” Autumn looked at Mitch and then Lopez. “How does farming link to weapons and drugs?”

“I’m not sure yet.”

Mitch ran his thumb over his full lips in concentration, and the movement made her lose her own. Even seated with tension rolling off his broad shoulders, she could see the sensuality in the man. He was an arresting sight and one which she’d never get tired of looking at she feared. Yet what was coming to light in this meeting was that a can of worms was open and spilling everywhere at her feet. This mess was so much bigger than she’d realised, believing that it was a simple murder trial when it had to be more than that.

“We held chemicals at the lab that are used in pesticides that have to be controlled and documented for every use. One of the discrepancies I found with Terrell involved one called CH5N. Its main use is for crops, but its formula is very similar to that of Tabun.”

Autumn let her sentence hang not sure what she was trying to say but hoping one of these men would pick up the thread of her thoughts.

Will glanced at her, his eyes alive before they dropped back to the monitor as he began to type like a man possessed. “She’s right, and if that is the case, what are the chances that the Cobras aren’t moving physical weapons but chemical ones?”

A hushed silence fell over the room, the only sound Maggie cooing on her knee as the magnitude of the implication penetrated.

“We need eyes on that warehouse, and I need a full report on anything to do with Henderson, Finch, Orion, Allen, and the Cobras now!” Jack jabbed the table with his forefinger, his face a controlled mask, but his eyes a stormy grey.

“What about Autumn?” Mitch draped his arm over the back of her chair in a protective gesture which made her anxiety ease a little.

“Autumn, is it possible Terrell was involved in making chemical weapons?” Jack clasped his fingers together as he looked at her.

Autumn raised both eyebrows, her hands smoothing the creases from her little girl’s purple dress as she thought about the question. “It’s possible. Terrell was a brilliant chemist, but I find it hard to believe he’d be involved with that.”

“Yet he was involved in drugs, and you found that acceptable?” Decker asked with a crisp edge to his tone as he stepped forward.

“Decker, that’s enough.” Mitch glared at the man his voice a growl of warning.

Decker shrugged his shoulders and tipped his head. “It was an observation.”

“Yeah well, fucking keep them to yourself.”

Autumn laid a hand on Mitch’s leg, and he glanced at her. “It’s okay, he’s protecting you. I get that.” She looked at Decker. “In answer to your observation, I didn’t find it acceptable at all. Anyone that deals in drugs is abhorrent, but it’s a hard pill to swallow to imagine that the man you loved, the father of your child, was involved in making and producing chemical weapons. I grew up surrounded by drug dealers, so it’s an easier step for me to take, whereas this isn’t. So, to answer your question with an open mind rather than an emotional one, then yes, Terrell could’ve been involved.”

Decker gave a small nod, a smile twitching his lips. Autumn had a distinct impression that few people challenged him or his cunning insight.

“Wow, she totally schooled you, Deck.” Lopez laughed, which gained him a glare from Decker.

“Can we get back to the problem at hand and the reason we’re meeting.” Mitch threw up his hands but offered her a small grin of respect.

“Yes, let’s do that. I have somewhere to be tonight.” Jack gave Mitch and Alex a glance but said no more.

“Mitch, it goes without saying you’re on protection detail, but I want Waggs with you on that. I know security at your place is tight but I’d recommend you keep all outdoor activity to a minimum until we can have eyes on all the players and get them under surveillance.

“Alex, I need you to get us operational control on this. Find out whose radar the Cobras are on and speak to the Palace if necessary so we can control the external factors. I don’t want to fuck up any long term investigation or op, but this is a matter of National Security and falls under our remit.”

Alex stood. “On it.” Alex grinned at Autumn before swiping a gentle hand over Maggie’s head. “Good to meet you, ladies.”

“You too, Alex.”

“Will, can you help Lopez and also figure out how Anton found Autumn?”