Page 126 of The Bronze Garza

“Why?”

“Because your fiancée plans to start poisoning you with ethylene glycol.”

“What?” His face pales. “H-how do you know that?”

“True lied. Everything we told you is factual, not speculation,” I say. “Even before we had proof, I had suspicions. So I had your pool house bugged. The entire crew—Eloise by video-call—met there a couple times. That’s how we know.” Glancing to Guy, I tell him, “Play the snippet from last night.”

Guy hits a key on his laptop, and audio fills the room.

Eloise:We are coming back tomorrow. What did you get done?

Patrick:Nothing. I told you, they have her locked away tight. I have been trying to get to her but I don’t know, it feels like something is up. Did Mitch tell you why he is keeping her guarded?

Eloise:He said he did it to make her feel safe because she was being paranoid. But I think he believes her.

Susan:Wait, do you think he is looking into it?

Eloise:I doubt it.

Patrick:He didn’t tell you when he hired people to find her, so why do you think he would tell you about this?

Eloise:You are right. That one shocked the skin off my bones.

Susan:Yes, I think it’s safe to assume he’s looking into it.

Eloise:Possibly. Either way, things are getting too messy. Too many fuck ups. I think we should cash out while we can.

Patrick:I agree. Plus there is also Holly. It is only a matter of time before the threats stop working on her. And I really don’t want to have to hurt her.

Eloise:Susan, have you gotten any closer with Derick?

Susan:No, unfortunately. He’s a little more distrustful than your mark. I think my only alternative with him right now is blackmail. I’ll try for a mil.

Eloise:Okay. Do it. When we return I will initiate Plan EG.

Patrick: How long will that take?

Eloise:It will take some time, but it is the safest route.

Patrick:There has to be a faster way.

Eloise:Durak, if there is even a whiff of foul play, we do not get what is in that will. We must play it safe. I am handling this one myself this time. There has been too many botches already.

Patrick:What about Lyra?

Eloise:We keep an eye on her for now. If all else fails, we take her and go the ransom route. We have been on this mark too long to not get paid. She was always meant to be our back-up plan anyway before those wetbacks fucked us.

Guy stops the audio.

Deathly pale, Henderson looks around at us. “Fucking hell, how did I get myself into this mess?”

“In the future, come to us about anyone you plan on letting close to your family, yeah?”

“I did a background check—”

“The kind any con artist worth their salt knows how to pass with flying colors,” True says. “Eloise and Patrick are Russians passing off as Americans and have managed to go undetected for years. A regular old background check wouldn’t have unearthed that kind of information.”

“You can stop glaring now, True,” I mumble. “I get the point.”