Chapter 26
TWENTY-SIX
Cane
“Say that again.”
I slid my sunglasses on my face as I threw the Denali into drive. Things had become a total clusterfuck.
“It’s a fuckin’ pond out here, Cane. It’s a disaster.”
I tore out of the parking lot of Alexander Industries, heading for Queen Creek.
“For fuck’s sake! What in the hell happened?”
I heard Max shout to someone before he came back on the line. “Looks like someone pierced a couple of the exposed water lines last night. Everything is soaked. Water is literally running down the fucking street right now. The city is here, and they’re pissed.”
I groaned. “Did you get it stopped?”
“Yeah. The cuts have been saddled, and the water has stopped, but it’s still a mess, man.”
“First things first. What’s the city saying?”
“They are mad as hell. We have water and mud flowing down fucking Ocotillo Road.” Max shouted again to someone else. “You’re going to want to let me handle the city.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I flew onto the freeway toward East Valley, my foot even heavier than usual. “I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
“That’s fine, but they’re pissed, and you’re going to be pissed. Just let me handle this. Your public relations skills need work anyway.”
I leaned against the window. “So how in the fuck did this happen? These were just random cuts in two different water lines? That’s what you’re telling me?”
“That’s what I’m telling you. There were gashes sliced in both lines that the utility sub uncovered at the end of the day yesterday.”
I chewed on the side of my cheek. “So this wasn’t a random burst then?”
“Nah, someone sliced them sure as shit.”
“Powers?”
“That’s what I’d bet my money on. I told you right off that this is where I thought he’d hit you. This is the reason your dad is in the grave and his is in the pen. It makes sense.”
“You’re right. And it’s our most visible project. PR-wise, this will be a mess, so this fucks us in a few different angles … the most bang for his buck.”
“Exactly.”
“We need to see if anyone saw anything,” I said, chewing on my fingernail.
“I already have the word out to check surveillance cameras from the neighboring buildings and threw up a reward if someone knows something, but I’m not holding my breath. It’s so fucking dark out here once the sun goes down, and people aren’t alert enough these days to see anything.”
“All right. Well, go smooth things over with the city, and I’ll be there in a few minutes.” I glanced at the clock.
“Don’t pull up here raising hell, man. Remember—flies. Honey.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Whatever.”