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“About ready to stage a coup if you aren’t back in forty-eight hours.” Eddie smiled.
“Really?”
“Heck yeah. You’re an asset, man, and anyone with two eyes can see it.”
It was good to know the crew missed him. He’d had a lot of people in and out of his life growing up, but he’d been around thefirehouse long enough that the guys and gals had become like family.
“How’d you figure out Tucker’s plan?”
“His note mentioned dying in the river.”
Wats only go empty’n wivers.
Zack rubbed his temple. So Tucker hadn’t been behind everything. But he wasn’t sure how Hudson fit into all this either.
“I can’t get this silly saying from my dad out of my head, either.”
“What is it?”
“Rats only go empty’n rivers.” Zack laughed. “My dad was adamant thatrwas the most important letter in my vocabulary. So important he said he’d told other people how necessary it was too. I found the phrase in the box with the other evidence my dad had. Including a note for P to tell someone.” Zack scratched his head. “I think P was for Powells. But now he’s dead, and any information he had is long gone with him.” Zack blew out a breath.
“Maybe the phrase is a secret message. Like each letter is connected to a number or something.” Eddie pulled out a pen from his turnout jacket and wrote it on his palm.
“It definitely points to the sandbags being dumped in the river.” That part made sense. Although Zack wasn’t sure what else it would allude to—except how adamant his dad had been that other people know how important ther’s were.
“Let’s pack it up. I want us back to the station in fifteen.” Bryce shouted the order.
“I’m going to head out.” Zack slapped Eddie on the back. “I’ll let you have fun with that riddle.” Zack headed back to his car.
When he arrived at Ethos, Zack checked in with the receptionist, then took the steps to the second floor. The hallwaywas quiet, and he followed the signs until he found Hudson’s office.
His phone rang, and a glance at caller ID showed it was Eddie. “Yeah?” He stopped walking.
“It’sRoger. The first letter of each word spells out the name.”
Zack scanned the hall. No one was present, but he still turned and faced the wall to keep his voice from projecting. “That’s the CEO, Eddie. Roger Callahan.” He clenched his hand and sucked in a breath.
This whole time, the company had been covering up dangerous actions with lies. Instead of creating products for the good of the community, they were dealing silent blows.
He had to warn Naya. “I’ve got to go, Eddie. I’ll be out soon.”
He hung up and texted Naya.
Roger is behind it all. Keep an eye out. I’ll be at your house soon.
He turned around to head back to the stairs when an office door opened.
“You’re early.” Hudson grinned. “Trying to be punctual?”
“Didn’t want to miss the chance to clear the air between us.” Zack plastered on a smile and stepped into Hudson’s office.
“Want something to drink?”
“Water’s fine.”
Hudson turned around to retrieve a water bottle from a mini fridge, then handed it to Zack. “I’m glad you thought this meeting would be profitable.”
Zack twisted open the cap.