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Danny watched as Jael pulled out of the parking lot. She’d looked tense coming out from the reading of the will, but her interaction with Christopher only confirmed that whatever had happened inside, her affection for the younger Sisera had not changed.

He was desperate to talk to her and make her see the mistake she was making, but that would have to wait. Today, he had to focus on the Siseras. Maybe she’d end up marrying Christopher after all, but if Danny could find another way to get to Artus, he’d prefer not to be a part of those celebrations.

He watched as Artus patted his son on the back. Both men looked not just pleased but elated. They spoke with their heads close together—a private conversation that Danny would have given anything to listen in on. Five minutes later, they shook hands, then got into different cars. Danny followed Christopher, using all his skill to ensure he wasn’t spotted.

After driving through the city for ten minutes, Christopher pulled over, and Danny passed him, pulling to the curb a block away.

He watched in the rearview mirror as Christopher entered a shop.

“God, please let this be a lead.” He turned off the car and got out, hurrying down the sidewalk with his head bent low and his phone out to appear inconspicuous. When he got near to the shop, he slowed, noting that it was a large Asian grocer. After checking the entryway to confirm it was clear, he ducked inside.

Immediately, he veered left, hiding himself down an aisle full of shrink-wrapped foods. The earthy, salty tang of the dried seafood gave way to the pungent scent of fermented pastes.

He picked up a container of doenjang, pretending to study the ingredients as he listened. Christopher's voice could be heard farther into the shop. He was speaking to someone at the counter.

Danny rounded the aisle and skipped a few, getting as close as he could until Christopher’s words could be discerned.

“There’s a bonus in there,” Christopher said to the clerk as they stood near a display of spices.

Danny watched through a shelf of soy sauce.

“Give Mr. Sisera my thanks,” the clerk said. “Although I don’t know what I did to deserve his generosity.”

“It’s nothing you did, if I’m honest. But you’ve helped us effectively in the past, and this time, not only was the timing superb, but the aftermath exceeded both of our expectations.”

“I told you my product would work. It always does.”

“That was never in question. Everything you supply works exactly as described. You have never let us down.”

“Then I don’t understand.”

“The bonus is a gift. It’s a kindness my father is bestowing on you for being a part of what is a larger plan. A plan that is coming together beautifully. It means our business will continue to prosper, and, as a valued and reliable member of our circle, you can expect we will continue to require your services.”

“I see. Tell him he can count on me whenever he needs me.”

“I’ll let him know.”

Danny waited until Christopher had left the store before he gathered a few random items and approached the counter.

“Hi there,” he said to the same clerk who had spoken to Christopher.

“Is this everything?” the clerk said, distracted. Probably by the large sum of money he’d just received.

“Well…I have to ask.” Danny leaned closer. “If I was to look for certain items not on the shelves, would you be the man to speak to?”

“Everything we have is displayed. If you want something else, you’ll have to come back and speak to the owner. She’s only here Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.”

Danny nodded. He wasn’t ready to interrogate this guy yet. There was too much at stake to move too quickly. “No problem. Thanks.”

He paid for his items, then left the store, throwing what he’d bought in a nearby garbage bin before pulling out his phone.

“Danny.” Deborah’s voice was bright. She must have been in a good mood.

“Afternoon, Deb.”

“You know I don’t like to be called Deb. Why would you call me that?”

“Debbie?”

“Is this phone call simply to irritate me? Or do you have something of value to offer? Because I’ve had a win on another case, and you’re ruining my high.”

“Oh yeah? What case?”

“It’s classified.”

“You’ve given me clearance.”

“Only when it comes to the Siseras.”

“I’m surprised you don’t trust me.”

“It’s not a matter of trust. If you’d like to do more work for me, I’d be happy to bring you on board.”

“You sure know how to ruin a moment.”

“You’re not too bad at it yourself,” she said. “But that’s okay. I can fix it. I’ve gotten word from my contact in Nairobi. They’ve released Adisa.”

“Already?”

“I told you I have influence.”

“Thank you.” Danny was unprepared for the surge of emotion. He did a quick swipe of his face but kept it out of his voice. He didn’t want Deborah to know how much it meant to him. “That’s one thing off my mind.”

“Good. I hope that means you’ll be completely invested in bringing the Siseras down.”

“That’s why I’m calling.”

“I hope it’s to tell me there’s been an engagement.”

“No. But there’s been a new development.”

“I’m listening.”

“Gregory Heber was murdered.”

She didn’t hesitate to respond. “You have proof?”

“I’ve got enough to convince me it wasn’t a heart attack.”

Deborah sighed heavily into the phone. “Except it’s not you I need to convince. You already know what he’s guilty of. If I can’t use it to put Artus away, what difference does it make?”

“Give me a chance, will you? I only found this out about two minutes ago.”

“This better not be wishful thinking. I spoke to Agent Barak.”

“Did you? He’s always a joy.”

“I know you guys never got along, but I’d appreciate it if you’d make an effort. It will make all our lives better.”

“I was making an effort. And yes, I mentioned to Barak that I’d prefer to come at Artus another way. Jael’s been used enough in life. If we can bring Artus down without her, wouldn’t that be better for everyone?”

“By everyone, you mean you?”

“You brought me on this case because you need to take Artus down. Does it matter how we get the job done? You had your idea. I might have a better one.”

“All right. I’ll bite. Tell me what you’ve got.”

“Christopher Sisera paid a guy a bonus for his services. He said the product supplied worked exactly as described.”

There was a pause, then, “That’s it? That’s your big reveal? Was Gregory’s name mentioned?”

“Not exactly. But who else could it be? Christopher said the outcome was better than anticipated, and he and Artus looked pretty smug after the will was read. With Gregory out of the way, things will run a lot smoother.”

“You’re talking about the argument Jael mentioned between her father and the Siseras at Heber Industries?”

“Exactly.”

“It makes sense, but that’s not the same thing as proof.”

“Give me time.”

“You have as much time as it takes to ensure Jael and Christopher get engaged. And Danny, this had better not be a distraction. I’m trusting you on this. If I need to, I’ll order you to let it go.”

“It’s not a distraction.”

“Good, then you can tell me what you’re doing regarding our original plan.”

“You can’t push a girl like Jael,” he squeezed his forehead. It was one thing to buddy up next to Gregory, but now that he was gone, it had changed everything. Getting close to Jael would mean acknowledging some uncomfortable truths. “Her dad’s just died. I was giving her space to grieve.”

“Please, that’s the weakest excuse you could have come up with. It’s no secret she wasn’t emotionally close to him. You do realize that, if Artus killed Gregory, she may have been in on it.”

“She wasn’t.”

“You don’t know that for sure.”

“She’s got?—”

“I don’t have time to argue about this, and it doesn’t matter. Keep your focus on Jael and Christopher. Whatever spare time you have, you can use to look into this other matter, but make sure you don’t dawdle.”

“I won’t. But I do need participation from you as well.”

“Meaning?”

“I need you to look into the clerk and see what you can find.”

“All our resources are prepping for our original plan.”

“If that’s true, then Barak shouldn’t have had the time to harass me at the grocery store. Besides, he mentioned that there’s no plan B. If this engagement party doesn’t pan out, don’t you want to have another angle ready?”

“Okay. You’re right. We’ll look into it.”

“And you’ll let me know what you find?”

“I’ll let you know. Send through whatever details you have.”

Danny kept his sigh of relief quiet. “I don’t have a name, but I can give you the shop he works in and a physical description.”

“That should be enough. Oh, and Danny?”

“Yeah?”

“I hope I don’t have to worry about your feelings interfering.”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“I believe you do. I didn’t mention it before, but I get the feeling there’s history there that you’re not telling me.”

“There isn’t. Nothing’s ever happened between us.”

“I hope that won’t change.”

“I know how to be professional.”

“Then I won’t have to ask again.”

“Before you go,” Danny said. “I forgot to ask what was in the will.”

“I don’t know yet. We’re working on it. It would probably be faster for you to find out.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

Danny tossed the phone in the passenger’s seat and drummed his fingers on the steering wheel. They weren’t expecting any surprises, but he still wondered. Jael was relying on Heber Industries for funding, but he’d expected some relief for her once she got her inheritance.

At least he knew his next stop. It wouldn’t be too hard to find out from Jael what had happened with the lawyer.