Page 115 of Facing the Enemy

I returned to my original search and drew in a breath. A photo of Peter Florakis and Anna Wright together in a New York restaurant stared back at me. Taken about ten years ago, she appeared about forty pounds lighter and wore a dress that left nothing to the imagination. The caption read “Peter Florakis and Anna Wright announce their engagement.”

Other matches connected Wright with Norman Peilman in New York. The ring must have originated there and either expanded or moved to Houston. I’d seen enough to bring her in.

Please keep Risa safe, God. I can’t do this without You.I couldn’t lose her, and now she faced a killer.

I grabbed my keys and phoned the SAC while racing to my car. Then I’d phone Risa and get her out of there. We needed backup now.

65

RISA

Florakis tuned his car’s radio to Rossini’s “William Tell Overture” and pulled onto the street. With what I knew of his dark and evil mind, the overture must inspire him. He locked my door.

“Where are we going?” I said.

“East to a special spot where we’ll meet up with friends.” He flashed his walnut-colored eyes my direction. He enjoyed himself, and that meant torture. From his slight frame, I saw how he could pass for a woman. From the corner of my eye, I sized up his gun in his left hand, making it harder for me to grab.

As though reading my mind, he pointed the firearm in my direction. “You obviously don’t trust me. You have a reputation, which makes our rendezvous entertaining.”

“I’m so glad for you. Why did you kill Agent Reardon?”

“He got in my way like your brother.” He laughed. “That was your fault.”

I refused to take the blame for Trenton’s death. “You drove the car, not me.” I mustered courage. “I asked about Luke Reardon.”

He swore. “The man had a nosy streak. Discovered more than I permitted for a man to continue breathing. Took me a little while to detail his demise, but I was pleased with the results.”

“Why target Jack in the hospital? You and Lock both failed.”

He sneered. “He’s next. The man’s part cat, but third time’s a charm. Reardon said he’d told Bradford about the whole operation, and I’m taking Bradford’s breathing personal.”

His word choice told me the man had no conscience. Dangerous. “You’re the kingpin behind the baby ring?”

“I wish. I take orders and use my own creativity to carry them out.”

“Anna Wright?”

“That—? She’s like a cheap battery, replaceable.”

“What about Emily Lock, Harvey Sinclair, and Norman Peilman?”

He tapped his firearm on the steering wheel. “You FBI types have this curiosity gene.”

“I’ve been told that before.”

“Emily is smart, hot, and teaches the master class on disguises and altering handwriting. Harvey gambles but makes sure the odds are always on his side. Norman should have taken driving lessons.”

“Who holds the keys?”

He shrugged. “Not my call.”

“You don’t know?”

Florakis pulled to a stop at a red light. If not for the locked door, I’d fight my way out. I studied his phone in the console. No reason for me to doubt he’d trigger a bomb at the maternity home.

He turned to me. “Rule number one in this organization is ignorance for who’s at the top. It pays dividends on a life insurance policy.”

“You’re saying no one knows who’s calling the shots? You keep your life because there’s no threat of a double cross?”