Page 26 of The Wolves Come at Night

The screen held a text, and all of her hard-earned tranquility fled.

Mr. Brown requests a meeting.

“Merde.”

She dialed the number by heart.

“Hola.” The voice was deep, and made too many memories flood her senses.

“What do you want?” she asked curtly, also in Spanish.

“No time for an old friend?”

“I swear to you on my father’s grave, Señor Brown—”

“I have a small problem. The daughter of a friend has been kidnapped.”

“Pfft. Get her back yourself,” she replied lazily.

“There is a complication.”

“There always is.”

“She’s been taken from Nashville.”

Angelie’s heart stuttered. “Jackson—”

“Will be working the case. Yes. I thought you might be interested. Kill two birds, as they say.”

Angelie slowly placed her wineglass on the ancient French oak table, and stood, moving to the fire. She poked it with her good arm, sparks flying at her vehemence.

“Do you have any idea who’s taken the girl?”

“No. But the sooner you’re on a plane, the sooner we can wrap this.”

“Who’s the friend?”

Diaz was silent for a moment, then said, “Avery Conway.”

“Merde,” she said for the second time in less than a minute.

“Where should I meet you?” he asked.

She was already calculating the time difference and knew the easiest flight to take. She had a solid cache in Virginia she hadn’t touched in years that would give her the tools she needed on the ground in America. It was strange, how fate works. She and Jackson were tied together, whether they wanted it or not. And now, Avery Conway and Santiago were tied to them as well.

“There is a hotel called The Willard, in Washington, DC. You know it?” she asked.

“I do. Awfully public.”

“Good cover. I have a legend that uses the hotel when she visits. The cameras at the service entrance are permanently disabled to give the famous people who stay there a private entrance. Bring Avery in the back, to the service elevator. Sixth floor. The Thomas Jefferson Suite. There is a secondary ingress to the suite on the northwest side of the building. Meet me there.”

“When?”

“As soon as possible. I’m leaving now.”

“Thank you.” The relief in his voice was palpable and set her teeth on edge.

“Do not thank me yet, Señor Brown. You may end up regretting your words.”