Danny’s eyes dilated when they landed on the cane. “Okay, Professor. She apologized and said it wouldn’t happen again,” Danny assured him with a stretching of lips that was meant for a smile.

Danny flipped the switch, and fluorescents blinked on overhead, almost blinding Gilmont. He squinted until his eyes adjusted.

Worktops lined two sides of the room. Spread on the pristine surfaces was his latest lab equipment: beakers, Bunsen burners, and plastic tubing. Neatly labeled ingredients lined the shelves beside the sink.

“How did today’s cooking adventure go?” Gilmont asked.

“See for yourself.” Danny motioned toward the shelves.

Gilmont lifted the small bag of meth and examined it from every angle. This was far better than he had anticipated and would bring in a massive roll of cash. He had big plans for that money.

The small cottage he had recently procured was about to become an operating theater. Over the last five months, he had persuaded a has-been surgeon to come out of “retirement” to perform transplant operations. Organ harvesting brought in considerably more than trafficking. He had the numbers to prove it.

In just a few months, the wealth from this start-up investment would far exceed that of his former in-laws’ income. With that capital, Gilmont would topple their chocolatier empire, removing one investor at a time until he remained Sandra’s parents’ only recourse. When they came groveling to him for a loan, he would snap up their corporation for a quarter of its value. His success would be the sweetest revenge.

He frowned. Some of his other campaigns, though lucrative, had not proven nearly as profitable. In fact, one business had stalled out recently, one he had banked his future rise to power in the Mediterranean on.

He and Nheshal had met in Croatia a few years ago and had formed an alliance. Playing the long game had proven a success when one of Gilmont’s former students had transferred into a position where he could supply arms to Gilmont’s associate.

Word had reached Gilmont that General Nheshal’s regime had not received the last shipment of weapons he had promised. Danny needed to visit Glenkinnon Base and remind their little patriot on which side his bread was buttered.

Danny had better go easy though. Too many injuries would place their arms shipments at a permanent standstill.

Chapter 13

Harry whipped together several eggs in a bowl and set them aside while he diced some veg and cheese. Sammy stood beside him watching as he chopped, his eyes on the veg.

“I don’t like tomatoes.” Sammy’s face twisted as though he’d eaten something sour.

“Have you ever eaten a tomato?” Harry asked.

“Gran makes me.”

Evidently, Mum hadn’t changed one whit since Harry was a boy, always insisting on eating veg to grow healthy and strong.