Page 69 of Hit Man

“A double cross. Who’d have thought Mendoza had it in him?” I add.

Hayden falls silent. Thinking.

McDuff clears his throat. “There’s been a few attacks on the warehouse storing the weapons. A local drug cartel is upset an outside cartel scored the security detail.”

The Lobos.Hayden’s and my eyes meet.

“Nothing serious yet enough to keep Fahder occupied,” McDuff continues.

“Enough to keep him in Acapulco while his son pulls a bigger deal,” Hayden says. “Mendoza’s phone records show calls being made all over Mexico. None that last any length of time, except for when he speaks to his mother.”

“His mother is Fahder’s mistress.” McDuff adds.

“Ex-mistress,” I respond, catching his scowl.

“We need to track the weapons to their buyer. And more importantly, we’ve got figure out who Mendoza is selling enriched uranium to. You’ll work separately yet if the need arises together.”

McDuff and I look at each other.

“You’ll head back to Acapulco. Call in as soon as the off-the-book weapons shipment is going down or if you hear anything about Mendoza’s double cross.”

“Boss, I have a contact in Mexico City who might have heard something. Permission to travel back and forth,” McDuff murmurs in a serious tone.

“Fine. Use your best judgment.”

I snort.

“But Finn,” Hayden continues, his eyes narrowing on the man seated next to me, “be careful who you trust. Rumor has it there is another operative in Mexico City.”

I swear McDuff’s face pales. Hard to tell, his skin is so fair to begin with.

Hayden’s attention swings toward me. “You will reach out to Los Lobos in Mexico City and see if they’ve heard anything.”

I nod and brace myself for more.

“You will not blow anything up. You will not draw unnecessary attention to yourself. You will obey or the consequences are going to be severe. Understood?”

Bastardo. “Yes.”

“Good. Report in when you have news.”

He rolls the uranium in his hand before sliding it into the inside pocket of his suit jacket. I want to ask him how long he’s planning on staying in Mexico but he’s already in motion, tapping the window for the driver to unlock the doors. He climbs out of the car, then sticks his head back inside. “If my suspicions are right, we’re fucked.”

The car door slams shut.

It’s like all the air leaves the car with him. Even Finn seems uncharacteristically uptight as he stares at the door Hayden just exited through.

Hayden never discusses strategy with us. He’s like a silent chess partner, making the moves for us, calculating our opponent’s next move. Weighing the role each piece plays on the board. Introducing new pieces while he eliminates old.

Our boss is cool and calculated. Never . . .fucked.

After a long pause, Shamrock breaks the silence. “Pink suites you.”

“And you look like an asshole in that beanie,” I shoot back at him. Enough of this comradely bullshit. I don’t know what Hayden was thinking sending this gamer to Mexico City. The T in TORC doesn’t stand forteamwork.

Time for that beer.

I exit the Hummer without a good-bye. No need.