Page 51 of Chief

After he closes and locks the office door behind us, I sit in one of the chairs in front of his desk and he takes his seat behind it, before leveling a dark glare at me.

No preamble. “Tell me about Germany.”

“What?” Although my mind is already pivoting, heading there, skimming through everything and quickly zeroing in on what I hope he’s not talking about but already suspect he is.

There’s a tablet on his desk. He punches the home button to wake it up and quickly swipes through to something, then hands it over for me to read.

It’s an e-mail.

Interesting information to share about your son-in-law. I’m sure you wouldn’t want anyone to find out about it. Had a unique “relationship” with him for a while in Germany years ago. Let’s talk. I need a few things, and I’m sure a gentleman such as yourself can supply them.

I’m positive it’s sent from a throwaway e-mail account. While the e-mail isn’t signed, I already know who it’s from just from the wording.

Goddamn that bitch.

Ancient, murderous rage and seething hatred course through me. Yet I’m careful not to show any emotion. I don’t know forsureif the e-mail is from her, no matter what my gut tells me. I find it hard to believe she wouldn’t approach me directly with a demand considering our history together, and I doubt it’s Eddie. He’d contact me directly if he wanted to fuck me over.

But considering I saved Eddie’s life, and what else we survived together, I’m nearly certain it’s not him.

At least, Ihopeit’s not him.

If itishim, we have far worse problems than I thought.

It’s most likely her, or someone who knows her, and who is trying to leverage that knowledge against what they feel is a vulnerable soft spot.

I return the tablet to him. “I take it you haven’t responded?”

“Do Ilookstupid, son?” He switches it off and sits back. “Well?”

I lean back in my chair and lace my fingers together behind my head. “Well, what?”

“Don’t leave me blindsided.”

“Why? What are you thinking of doing?”

“Well, I’m not paying them, if that’s your first concern.” He points at his face and circles his finger. “Again,notstupid.”

“Then what are you suggesting?”

“For starters, you tell me what thefuck. Secondly, I hope your passport is in order.”

“Why?”

“Because your ass is going to Germany to personally handle whatever this is. Tomorrow.”

I’m careful not to give anything away. “If they’re in Germany.”

“It originated from there.”

That catches me by surprise, and I frown. “How do you know that?”

“Because I already ran the info past a… Let’s just call them a friend of mine.” He smiles. “I’m old, but—again—notstupid. I’m also connected. No, I didn’t send him the text, only the headers. The person who sent it didn’t disguise their actual IP address, they just created a throwaway account. No attempt to hide who they were beyond the e-mail account.”

“I thought you didn’t know much about technology.”

He smirks. “After my lastexperiencewith you, I educated myself. Especially since I had time to spare stuck in a bed after my heart attack.”

“Ah.”