Chapter 42
"You're out of your mind if you think I'm going to tell you where the book is," Kenzie said.
"I've left instructions with the concierge not to let you into the building.
After the break-in, my mother has hired a private security firm.
So your threats don't mean shit to me. You'll get your cut. Don't worry about it.”
"I want more than my cut. I want half.”
"You don't get half just because you killed Hayden. I’ll take his share.”
"We haven’t been partners since you shot my father. And you’re certainly not my partner now."
"It seems we’re at a bit of an impasse. I don't trust you to give me my money.”
"I've got a deal lined up tonight. You'll have your money by midnight.”
"And then what?"
"And then I never want to see you again."
"That can be arranged.” Levi added, "And if you think your mother's private security force or the concierge at your condo is going to stop me, you’re deluding yourself. I can get to anyone, anywhere.”
"Like I said, I'll have your share of the money tonight. Meet me in the parking lot of the Mega Mart at midnight. I'll give you your share.”
"No. I want to be there when the deal goes down. I want to see how much money is changing hands. I want to make sure I don't get shortchanged."
"You're not getting shortchanged. I'm getting $10 million for the book.”
"It's worth so much more.”
"No, it's not. Not under these circumstances. Not since you shot my father. It’s too hot right now. The buyer is willing to pay $10 million, after a 10% commission to the broker. I'll give you $3.3 million. Take it or leave it.”
"I want $5 million.”
"Yeah, well, we don't always get everything we want. I'll give you the broker’s number if you want to verify the sale price. He's a disinterested third-party.” After a pause, Kenzie said, "The parking lot of the Mega Mart. Midnight. Don't try anything funny.”
That was the end of the call.
“Who do you think is buying the book?” JD asked.
“I have no idea, but I’ll bet you Devon is brokering the deal.”
I called Isabella and told her to keep tabs on Kenzie's phone and let me know when she was on the move. I also asked her to track Devon‘s cell.
“I’m on it. I’ll keep you posted,“ she said.
“Thanks. You’re a lifesaver.”
“Anytime,” then she added, “I may ask a favor of you in the near future.“
“You got it.“
After I hung up, JD said. “Do you think Kenzie’s got the book hidden in the condo or somewhere else?”
I shrugged.
“Where would you keep something like that?”
“I don’t think I’d let a book worth that kind of money out of my sight.”
“Maybe we should sit on her and see where she goes,” Jack said. With as much as he hated stakeouts, it was a surprising suggestion coming from him.
“Isabella’s keeping tabs on her,” I said. “We can sit here if you want, but I’m getting a little hungry.”
It was well past lunch.
“You guys don’t really play by the rules, do you?” Daphne said. “I mean, the information you’re getting can’t be legal.”
I declined to comment.
Just as Jack put the car in gear, I got a text from Isabella. [She’s Oscar Mike.]
We stayed in the parking lot across the street. The valet hustled to the parking garage and returned a few moments later, driving a white German convertible. He had it waiting at the door when Kenzie stepped outside. She climbed into the vehicle, dropped it into gear, and sped away.
We followed as she turned onto the road, keeping our distance. She was oblivious to anyone behind her. But in the blue Porsche 911 convertible, we weren’t exactly inconspicuous.
Kenzie sped across town, zipping through traffic, her hair blowing in the wind with the top down.
We followed her to Coconut Fitness. She pulled into the parking lot, hopped out of the car, and went into the facility. She wasn’t wearing workout clothes.
Jack pulled into the lot and found a place to park.
Five minutes later, Kenzie stepped outside, a black backpack slung over her shoulder. It was hard to tell at this distance, but it resembled the backpack worn by the girl in the Caldwell break-in.
She tossed the backpack onto the seat as she climbed into the convertible. Kenzie fired up the engine, pulled out of the space, and drove out of the lot.
Again, we followed, keeping our distance.
The book was in the backpack. There was no doubt in my mind. She probably kept it in a locker at the fitness club.
Kenzie cruised to the convention. She drove the convertible to the valet, and he hurried to grab her door. She grabbed the backpack from the seat and slung it over her shoulder. The valet gave her a ticket, and she strutted inside.
We pulled up to the valet moments later. Jack flashed his badge and told him to keep it upfront. We hurried into the lobby. By that time, Kenzie was already at the elevator bay, waiting.
We hung back, out of view in the lobby. She stepped onto the glass elevator and vaulted up to the fifth floor.
I approached the front desk, cut in line, and flashed my badge. “Can you tell me what room Devon Anderson is staying in?”