18. Reath
18
REATH
M y footsteps echoed in the alley between the warehouses. Traffic thundered overhead on the nearby overpass. The reek of rotting trash seeped into my senses.
Rabbit always picked a good spot.
I’d been in places like these all around the world. The dangerous back alleys most regular people barely knew existed, let alone ever visited.
A skitter of sound. There was movement in the shadows.
I slid my hands into the pockets of my jeans. “Come out, Rabbit.”
“Ah…Fury.” The man shuffled out of the darkness.
He was about five foot ten, wearing stained clothes, and his blond hair was in desperate need of a brush. He was missing a front tooth, and from the smell, he clearly hadn’t showered in a few days.
“I was told you had info for me.”
Rabbit shifted from to foot. “He said you’d pay.”
I pulled out my wallet and pulled out a couple of hundreds.
Rabbit snatched them and licked his lips. “So, there are some guys in town. They were using a warehouse in Gentilly as a base.”
“You saw them?”
He nodded. “I hang out on the street there sometimes. These guys, they aren’t good, Fury. Shady as fuck.”
That was saying something coming from Rabbit. “Descriptions?”
Rabbit bobbed his head. “Tall guy. Big. Looks like he likes to fight. Another one who looks like…just normal. Brown hair.”
I stiffened. They matched the descriptions of Frankie’s attackers—the one from the lab, and the one who’d tried to snatch her off the street.
“A slim blond.” Rabbit scratched his ear. “Always carrying a laptop. And the boss.” Rabbit swallowed.
“What’s the boss look like?”
“Good looking. I mean, I ain’t into guys, or nothing. The guy in charge… I saw him argue with one of his men. Put a gun to his head.” Rabbit wiped a hand across his mouth. “Don’t want to mess with him.”
I noted the way Rabbit fiddled with the phone in his hand. “You get any images?”
“Maybe.”
I pulled out more cash.
“I might have taken some.” He scrolled through the phone. “I got close enough I heard them talk about a big payday. Selling some project. That head guy, he’s got a real hard-on for it. Said it’s going to be his retirement.” Rabbit held up the phone.
He’d managed to take several pictures of hard-faced guys. Maybe Eastern European. When Rabbit flicked to the final image, I froze.
“That’s the leader,” he said.
Fuck . I gritted my teeth and snatched the phone off him.
“You know him?” Rabbit said.
I didn’t answer. I texted the pictures to my phone, then deleted them off Rabbit’s.
“Rabbit, don’t hang around that warehouse for a while.”
He fidgeted. “They’re really bad news?”
“The worst.”
“Yeah, okay. But I saw them leave. They packed up all their shit and left.”
Dammit . Of course, this couldn’t be easy. Still, I’d send a couple of PSS guys around to the warehouse to check it out.
“Thanks, Rabbit.”
He smiled a gap-toothed smile. “I did good?”
“You did. Now, get out of here.”
He lifted his chin. “See you, Fury.”
The man ambled away and disappeared into the shadows. I pulled out my phone and studied the photos. I paused on the one of the ringleader.
Hugh Auclair.
He was a French national. Handsome, smart, and dangerous. He was beyond bad news. He was a ruthless, cold-blooded killer. We’d crossed paths when I’d been in the CIA.
If Auclair wanted Frankie’s project, he wouldn’t stop until he got it. I needed to take him down.
I headed back to the PSS Chevy Suburban I’d driven, fighting the bad feeling growing in my gut.
Once I was inside the vehicle, I sent the photos to Noah at my office.
I just sent through some photos. I want them identified.
Noah replied.
On it.
I wanted to know who these guys on Auclair’s team were.
I wondered what Frankie was doing in her lab. I hated having her out of my sight. I’d assigned Lincoln to stay with her. He was a good guy. A former Navy SEAL. I knew I didn’t have to worry.
Still, I stabbed Frankie’s name on my phone. It rang and rang. There was no answer.
I frowned. A bad feeling solidified inside me. I dialed again.
“ Reath .” She sounded out a breath.
“Frankie? What’s wrong?
“There are two men chasing us. They attacked Lincoln. He told me to run. We made it into Audubon Park. He fought them off.”
Fucking hell.
I started the SUV and revved the engine. “Where are you now?”
“We ran past a picnic area. Um, there are trees and a lake. Wait, I see a small island.”
I knew the park pretty well. “I know where you are.”
“Lincoln’s hurt, but he won’t stop.”
“You see the men chasing you?” My tires squealed as I sped off.
“No.” I could hear her breathing fast and heavy.
“I’m coming, Frankie.”
“Okay. God, Reath.”
“Stay hidden, Frankie. Hold on.” I touched the dash to connect a call to the office.
“Phoenix Security Services.”
“Daniel, it’s me. Who do we have closest to Audubon Park?”
“Checking now.” My man’s tone sharpened. He asked no extraneous questions. I only hired the best.
“We don’t have anyone close, Reath. But Dante is nearby. He had a meeting with some talent for the club out that way.”
“Thanks.” I brought the cellphone back to my ear. “Frankie?”
“Linc and I are hiding in some bushes. I’m getting pissed, Reath. These people are trying to stop my project, they’re hurting people.”
“You stay hidden, or I’ll spank you until you can’t sit.”
Her sharp gasp echoed over the phone.
I touched the console again.
“Reath?” Dante’s voice filled my car.
“Frankie’s in trouble. Audubon Park. She’s near the Bird Island Preserve. You’re closest.”
“Heading there now,” Dante said.
No hesitation. My brother had my back. Always.
“She’s with Linc, but he’s injured. There are two men chasing them.”
Dante cursed. “Got it. You’re coming?”
“I’m coming.”
“See you soon. I’ll get to your girl.”
“Thanks, Dante.”
I went back to the cellphone. “Frankie, Dante and I are on the way. Hold on.”
“Reath…” Fear leaked through her voice.
“Promise me you’ll hold on.”
“I promise.”