Page 21 of Till Death Do Us Part

“Now you may speak,” I said. He glanced anxiously at Quayle before he turned back to me.

“I just… heard rumors about the South Yard procurement operation,” he said.

“Rumors,” I echoed. “Do tell.”

“One of my people heard whisperings about the Whitecliffs…”

“Yes,” I said. “It would seem they’ve caught onto Elaine’s presence sooner than expected. But it’s no matter. Vera can handle them.”

Rand swallowed, looking down. He was a tall man, with a strong build, and in any other circumstance, he was a dominating figure, terrible to behold. But like this, he looked like a scared little boy. Pitiful. Weak.

“The rumors say, Sir, that you tipped off the Whitecliffs.”

I smiled. “Is that so?”

“Is it true?”

“It would seem your friend has a good read on the situation. Yes. I saw to it that the information would leak.”

He faltered. “But, Sir… why?”

“The South Yard is a difficult acquisition. Robert Gabor made sure it could only change hands with Elaine’s express permission. Thus… we need her firmly in our camp, emotionally as well as physically.” I folded my hands on the desk. “So Vera will save her life. And Elaine will be indebted to her.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Sir…”

“Go on, Rand. It’s just us here. Say what’s on your mind.”

“Surely you’ve gone mad.”

I laughed. “You don’t get to my position as a sane man, Rand. Nor into yours. But relax. Be at ease. I hear your concerns.” I leaned forward. “We’ll collaborate. Now that you know, we’ll bring you into the fold on negotiations, and we can ensure your concerns are heard. You’re a trusted man to me, Rand.”

He drew in a long, slow breath, and slowly, finally, he sank back into his chair. “I… yes, Sir. I understand.”

“If your friend heard about it as well, I’m sure they also have concerns. Who was it? The person you heard about it from—we’ll bring them on the panel as well.”

“Christina Roanes, Sir,” he said, and I nodded.

“Excellent.” I sat back in my chair. “Quayle, dispose of him.”

“Sir—” Rand’s eyes shot open wide, and he jumped from his seat, but Quayle was a phantom. He barely moved, one precise gesture, and with the muffled crack through the silencer, Rand’s skull split open, a crescent of crimson, as his lifeless body fell back in his chair.

“Bring me Christina Roanes as well,” I said. “We’ll trace this leak to the bottom.”

Quayle didn’t say a word, just nodded and stood up, heading for the door. I chuckled, flipping open my binder and looking through my documents.

All manual. All paper. I’d seen greater men fall to the vulnerabilities of electronics before. I wouldn’t follow in those footsteps.

Yes… according to my notes, the Whitecliffs’ best operative would be arriving soon to handle Elaine.

She wouldn’t be able to kill her right away, no. But injure her enough to put the fear of death into her?

Almost certainly.

But first, I would need to dispose of Rand’s body.

Chapter 10

elaine