Page 44 of Justified Fear

As they stepped out of the hallway, he paused.The living area was massive.Steps lead down into an area that was definitely made for entertaining.The ceiling was high, with a chandelier that was probably as big as his whole living room.Floor-to-ceiling windows looked out on the valley below.The entire thing was done in white.White tile, white rugs, and a white sectional.

“Looks like a serial killer would live here, am I right?”Nikki asked.“And not because of the dead body.”

This room screamed control, but he had a feeling that the person who owned it didn’t have anything to do with the murder.

That’s when he saw Seth and Adam talking.

“Guys, step easy,” Seth ordered.“They’ve done this room mostly, but don’t go outside of this room.”

The three of them headed over to the couch.The couch was leather and looked like it cost a lot of money.It was worth so little, now stained with the splash of blood and brain.

“So, what do we have?”Ryan asked.

Adam motioned toward the man on the couch.“All of them have been shot execution style.”

A rather slim Asian man lay on one section of the sofa.He could be asleep if it hadn’t been for the bullet hole in his head.

“His name is Henry Pang.Gun for hire.The other two are upstairs.Killed the same way,” Adam said.

“And we’re here because?”Nikki asked.

“This one had directions to the Kellys’ house on his phone.Oh, and he also had directions to the house we found Ray in.”

Ryan blinked.“That’s stupid.”

Which didn’t track.The plan had to have been formulated long before that night.They knew how many people would be at the dinner.

“Do they have any connections to the other people in the house?”

Seth shook his head.“We haven’t found anything yet, but we just got their names.”

“Well, it could be a case of arrogance,” Adam said.“This one has been under investigation in about six countries, including the US.China really wanted to get hold of him.No one could seem to catch him.”

“Is he a Chinese national?”

He nodded.“He was busy in China killing people up until a couple of years ago.He’s actually a Chinese American who immigrated to China when he was eighteen.”

“The fuck?”Nikki said.“Who in their right mind would go back to China?”

“Not sure, but he disappeared from China a couple of years ago.They started looking for him, but apparently, they couldn’t find him.At that time, he started popping up all over Europe as a gun for hire.Well, at least that’s what the rumors said.”

“Aw, damn, I hate international bullshit.That means we’ll end up dealing with the consulate.They’re gonna be assholes,” Rami said.

“Have you dealt with them before?”Ryan asked.

“Not this particular one, but all embassies and consulates are jerks.”

Kap came striding into the house.“Sorry, boss.Traffic was a bitch.”

Seth nodded.Most of them lived closer to the crime scene, while Kap lived over on the Windward side in Waimanalo.It was on the opposite side of the island.

“We’re gonna have to deal with the Chinese Consulate,” Rami said to Kap, who groaned.“See, he knows.”

“Are all three bodies Chinese?”Ryan asked.

“Nope,” Adam said.“The other two have ties to two different criminal organizations.”

“Please tell me they are US citizens, because that would mean dealing with three countries, and that sounds like a pain in the ass.”