Page 61 of Seven Deadly Sins

“What do you do on that phone of yours?”

“Research. Searching for hits that pay well. You aren’t the only one paying me money. When I’m not busy on a task of yours, I’m taking other jobs. Someday, I plan on retiring from this line of business and want to make sure my lifestyle doesn’t change when I do. Relax, Bob. I’ve got your back.” She turned her attention back to her phone. “Oh, and you shouldn’t always try to hide the fact you have one blue eye and one green. It’s kind of cool.”

Someday, Carl would take great pleasure in putting the woman in her place. He poured himself a glass of whiskey and went to stand on the apartment balcony. Now what? How would he fill his days without work?

Sure, he could make further plans for the remaining sins, but that wouldn’t take more than a day or two to lay out. Another few to implement.

He downed the drink in one gulp. He needed to keep things rolling so he could reach the final sin and the end of Detective Scranton and Special Agent McConnell.

“I’ll be back later. I need to get some things from my father’s house.”

“Take your time. I’ve got a job. I won’t be back until tomorrow morning.” She grabbed a large bag from beside the sofa. “If I’m not back, hire a new assassin.”

~

They weren’t as lucky at Ben Ally’s home. His wife, shocked at his location, then shattered at the news he was most likely dead.

With tear-filled eyes, she dropped to the sofa. “He promised me he’d left all that behind when we got engaged.”

“Some things are hard for some people to shake.” Liam kept his voice soft and soothing. “Is there anyone we can call?”

“No. He was all I had. I grew up in the foster system. No parents to speak of. A few friends, but not really anyone I can lean on.”

He handed her a card. “This is a counselor’s office. Someone there can help you. Why did your husband need to borrow a car?”

“Because I had to work today, and we only have one vehicle.” She leaned her head against the back of the sofa and fixed her gaze on the ceiling. “See yourselves out, please. I’ll be fine.”

“I hate these kinds of calls.” He marched with heavy steps back to the jeep. “And we still have a lot to get through.”

“We could’ve given the list to Annie or the other agents, but since we’re the ones doing the footwork on this case, I felt it should be us.” She met his gaze over the hood of the jeep. “I’m sorry.”

“No need to be. I agree.” He slid into the driver’s seat. “The case is becoming personal. It should be us.”

They stopped informing families at nine p.m. just in time for the local nightly news. Liam had hoped they could let the families know before they heard the names of the victims on television. They’d accomplished something they’d set out to do at least.

“Back to your place or do you want to grab something to eat?” He turned the jeep toward home.

“After today, I don’t have much of an appetite. Leftover pizza and a glass of wine is fine by me.” She leaned her head against the seat and closed her eyes. “I don’t want to think about this case again until morning. I’m going to curl up on the sofa with a good book until I fall asleep.”

“Which sounds amazing to me.” He pressed the button on the garage door opener and drove the jeep inside.

While Harper changed into something more comfortable and warmed up the pizza before pouring them both a glass of wine, Liam turned on the news. He wanted to know what was being said about the explosion. Nothing new to report, at least nothing he and Harper didn’t already know.

The faces and names of the victims scrolled across the screen, making him doubly glad they’d managed to notify the next of kin before the broadcast. When Harper entered the room, he clicked the TV off.

“Thanks.” He accepted the food and drink and stretched out on the opposite end of the sofa from Harper.

Weariness lined her pretty face as she stared into her wine glass. The paper plate with two slices of warmed up pizza threatened to topple from her lap.

Liam set the plate on the coffee table. She’d said she didn’t want to talk about the case, and he respected that, but had no idea what to say. Was their friendship based only on the case? He’d hoped for something more. More than friends someday, if he were honest. Harper had come to mean a lot to him.

She finished her wine without eating. She never did open the pages of the book on the end table. Instead, she watched him over the rim of her glass while he kept his gaze locked with hers.

No words were spoken, but her eyes said a lot as a myriad of emotions flickered through them. Sadness, determination, strength, and what he thought might be caring for him.

“Did you realize that everything you think is seen on your face?” He leaned forward. “Even the fact that you know I want to do this?” He pulled her close and kissed her, softly, tenderly.

“It’s a curse,” she whispered, her eyes drifting closed. “Kiss me until I forget all this, even if for a little while.”