Chapter 8 #4
She hesitated, tamping back a nasty comment before moving through the group and closer to the screen.
She continued to have the feeling the director knew she was withholding information.
This time, she was unable to stop the shiver from crawling down her spine.
“May I?” she asked the director, holding out her hand.
Director Montgomery lifted a single eyebrow as he handed her the clicker. “By all means.”
After flicking through several screens, she found the exact picture she was looking for, the very one she’d taken only moments before four FBI units closed in.
How he’d eluded them at that point still remained a mystery.
The grainy shot taken on her cell phone in a speeding car did little to highlight the man’s features, especially given he was wearing sunglasses.
But she could describe him from head to toe.
Sophia shoved aside the thought, swallowing before opening her mouth.
“This is the only partial we have of his face. Wrath is no fool and he is well connected, his Mafioso family considered royalty throughout Europe. Money. Weapons. He has access to everything he needs. Wrath is also extremely dangerous. No one else has even been able to get close. From what we’ve learned about the Dark Haven, and the information is still sketchy, the other families involved are just as powerful.
Italy. France. Germany. Sweden. Those are the countries we suspect they are from. ”
They actually knew shit, the informants used all over the place.
What she’d learned indicated the controlling country was Italy, the Constantino family irreproachable as far as the Italian police were concerned.
They’d been zero help. She had a feeling that the consortium owned several law agencies.
Glancing across the room, she moved from slide to slide, highlighting the bloody accounts of his most recent victims.
“He gets personal with the majority of his kills, preferring the use of a knife, signifying a revenge kill and he is very skilled,” Sophia continued.
“Then why the use of the pistol?”
The question came from the back. Sophia gave a knowing smile. She’d seen nothing but a gun in his possession during their… time together. Curious but not telling. “Time. He knew we were on the hunt.” Why was she actually tingling telling the story? The answer was far too easy.
The sexual attraction was unbridled. The connection was something she’d never be able to understand, but she would now use the knowledge against him.
“As far as his next intended victim? There is no way of telling. The connections bring us back to the Dark Haven, the victims powerful in their respective businesses with worldwide customers. However, the connection ends there. We know about Stephen Wallace and his business. The Dark Haven certainly needs access to computers worldwide. The second victim doesn’t fit any scenario.
John Baker was a financial advisor. And Mr. Marguiles, well, his connections with a cartel could certainly have the muscle to cause interference to the consortium. ”
“That’s not much to go on,” an agent scoffed.
“No, it’s not. We need to find that connection in order to facilitate an end to the Dark Haven’s reign. Bear in mind, when he’s finished his operation, he will move on to another city, another country.”
“What are your thoughts about his motive? World leadership as suggested?” David moved closer, this time his eyes gleaming.
She shook her head, giving him an evil eye.
How many hours had her partner been forced to hear about her theories?
She’d put out feelers to her own slim stock of informants, just in case there was chatter on the street.
She loathed the guessing game. “He’s settling scores for his family on one hand, making certain muscle doesn’t try and take down this consortium.
That’s just my guess regarding Mr. Marguiles.
The others? There are reasons and that’s why we’ll play pin the tail at this point. ”
“Maybe the next kill will be more helpful,” David teased.
“There will not be another murder!” the director snapped.
Everyone groaned.
“All right, ladies and gents, let’s get to work. Agents Waters and Camden will be happy to share what they know.” The words out of the director’s mouth weren’t a request. They were a demand.
Sophia rubbed the back of her neck. A headache had formed the moment she learned about the last hit.
And she doubted this one would leave without liquid libation.
She resisted glaring at the director. Getting herself on suspension wouldn’t help solve the crimes or expedite the plan forming in the back of her mind.
As she walked over to her desk, she pictured Wrath’s face in the Ferrari, the smile she’d managed to capture.
The fucker was toying with her. She’d used every contact she had putting out feelers on the Italian. Someone had to know something.
Her nipples ached, an intense longing filtering into her system. “Damn it,” she whispered. Her response was unacceptable. The desk phone rang, dragging her out of her daydream. “Waters.”
“Agent Waters, you asked me to call you if I found anything.”
Sophia could hear the terror in the man’s voice. The call was legit. Grabbing a pen and pad, she darted a glance from right to left before answering. “What do you have, Harry?” The informant was trustworthy, aiding in two important captures.
“Might not be anything, but I heard a few guys talking. Had to piece together what they said, but they used the name Wrath. Said this dude was gonna kill some bigwig coming in from out of town, maybe as early as tonight.”
“Any idea where?”
“No address. I swear, but they said KB. I don’t know what that means but maybe you do. They didn’t say anything else. Enough though? Did I give you enough?”
Sighing, Sophia wanted to smash the phone. “Harry. I’ll take good care of you. Okay? Appreciate the info.”
“Thank you. Thank you.” His voice quavering, he was coughing by the time he hung up the phone.
Great. The first real almost lead and the kill could be over before she figured out what KB meant. “What the hell is KB?” she muttered, tearing off the note and shoving it into her pocket.
“Key Biscayne.”
“What?” She darted a look at David. “As in the island?”
“You know, expensive real estate, hot babes on sizzling beaches. The kind of place we’ll never be able to afford. Why?” David stood over her desk, sucking back coffee.
“You’re a genius. Thank you.” She grabbed her things, jerking to her feet.
“Where the hell are you going?”
Flashing him a smile, she winked. “I’ll be back in a few. Just a weird tip I need to check out.”
“Why don’t you wait for me?” David insisted.
She waved him off as she took the back way out of the office, running down the stairs. This one she was going to check on her own. If she was right, she’d get the bastard one way or the other.
Game on.