Shah and his lawyer looked to Pappas for an answer. The big Aussie folded his arms, creating the impression of a human bulwark of even greater mass and solidity than the steel bench around which they were gathered.

‘First thing is, we need to lay our hands on the blokes they’re using locally. Those two no-hopers they sent around to have a crack at you, Shah, are gone. But whoever went after your mate Rhino, Julianne, will still be hanging around. The guys’ll have to go back at Rhino if he lives. But as long as he’s on that American ship, he’s probably fine. When they move him back on shore into a civilian facility, then they’ll have another go. In the meantime, they’ve got two other options – assuming they picked up the contract on you and Shah. And even if they didn’t, someone has.’

He finished his beer and placed it down in front of him.

‘Shah’s got a couple of dozen heavily armed ruffians looking after him and his family. We lay down some defence in depth around him, and getting at him will be as difficult as you trying to walk into Cesky’s office.’

All three men were now looking at her.

‘But you’re a different matter, Julianne. As far as they know, you’ve only got two friends in this town, and they’ve already taken down one of them. If we can put a little distance between you and Shah, put you out on the range, so to speak, they will come after you. And as long as you refrain from blowing their heads off, we should be able to tackle one of these cheeky fuckers and have a quiet word. Then, if we can start to trace the connection back to Cesky, we’ll be in a much better position to turn it back on him. But we’re going to need to grab whoever he sends after you.’

Jules cocked one eyebrow at him. ‘Presumably before he puts a bullet in the back of my neck.’

Pappas smiled. ‘Well yeah, that goes without saying.’

31

TEMPLE, TEXAS ADMINISTRATIVE DIVISION

‘I’m sorry, I can’t get you any closer to the Federal Center,’ said Cindy French. ‘But it’s not too far up that a-ways.’