Page 130 of Storm Warning

“I don’t know what they taught you in spook school, but that’s not how we do things around here. You see, you made a major mistake. My friend behind you is very protective of those he loves, and you sent goons after his woman. How protective do you think he feels right now?”

Uneasiness filled the agent’s eyes. “Forget it. I won’t talk.”

Elias smiled. “Let’s see.”

An hour later, Cowan sobbed in his chair and begged Elias and Andre to stop, promising to tell them everything if they’d just stop for a minute.

Andre resumed his work for another ten minutes, then leaned close to Cowan’s ear. “Who funded the hit team?” His hold was a painful reminder of what would come if Cowan refused to answer honestly.

“It wasn’t me. I swear.”

Elias folded his arms across his chest and shook his head. “Oh, Sam, you shouldn’t have lied to us.”

“I swear!”

“You don’t know how to tell the truth, Sam, and that’s not good.”

“Are you crazy? I don’t have the money to hire a hit team. I work for the government. While the government is an expert at spending money, the pay is terrible.”

Elias studied him for a moment. “That I might have believed if I didn’t know you have an account in the Caymans with a balance of $4 million and change. So, Sam, where did you get that kind of money on a government salary?”

Cowan remained silent.

Unfortunately, Andre wasn’t surprised at Cowan’s retreat. If he kept putting pressure on the nerves, he could do permanent damage. The thought didn’t bother him, and it should have. Riley’s life was on the line. He’d do anything to protect her, even knock off a dirty federal agent if that’s what it took to keep her safe.

“I’m not hearing anything, buddy. You don’t want to make my friend angry. He’s not nice when he’s angry.”

Cowan scowled. “What do you call his actions so far?”

“A little persuasive meeting of the minds. The longer this persuasion continues, the more you’ll suffer. We can do this all day, dude. Trust me when I say you don’t want to push my friend much farther. I can tell he’s at the end of his tether. You don’t want to see what he does to those who push him too far, Sam.” Elias shuddered.

“I don’t believe you.”

“Really?” Andre leaned closer to his ear and increased the pressure on the nerves in Cowan’s shoulder.

The agent shuddered. “No, please.”

“Talk to me, Cowan, and the pain stops. Who funded the account to pay for the hit?”

“No one was supposed to die.” Cowan glared. “You’re an idiot if you believe that. The fund was for a kidnapping, not a murder.”

“Why kidnap Riley? What did she do to you?”

“Besides disrespecting me and refusing to give me what I deserve, nothing. I told you the fund wasn’t mine. I had no reason to kidnap and kill Riley.”

“Oh, I think you did. You see, Riley knew too much, and you had to get rid of her before she put together all the puzzle pieces and turned you and Berkley in to your superiors. You couldn’t let that happen because you’d be looking at serious prison time.Your brilliant solution was to sell Riley out to Obsidian Storm’s leader, scoring a profit and eliminating a problem for yourself.”

“Do you have a hearing problem? The money isn’t mine.”

“No, it isn’t. That didn’t stop you from skimming a reward for yourself from the pot of money in the account before putting out the word on the reward. I’m surprised he hasn’t questioned the discrepancy.” Andre lowered his voice. “I wouldn’t count on that for much longer. We have friends in low places, Cowan. They owe us favors.”

Cowan swallowed hard.

“So, we’re back to my question. Who funded the account?”

The agent broke into a sweat. “You don’t understand. He’ll kill me.”

“He has to find you first. I already have you within arm’s reach. Which of us is more of a threat to you, Cowan?”