The bastard had blown a kiss. What an arrogant jerk. Let’s see you do that again after I’ve burned your lips off with a cigar torch. He’d been so close. Now Montez could be going anywhere in the world, and being a master at disguise, he’d disappear without a hitch. And to make matters worse, they might’ve just signed the death warrant for Nichole Dalton’s daughters. Cantrell had told him not to approach this house. Had she known Montez was here? No, Montez would’ve been intercepted and taken into custody. So what was Cantrell’s concern? Why did she—

“I’ve got you. The edge of the driveway at the hairpin.”

He clicked his radio and heard Harv crunch up the slope through the leaves—all stealth abandoned. “What happened?” Harv said, winded from his sprint.

“I saw one of Dalton’s girls in the backseat. I couldn’t see the other.”

“You made the right decision.”

“I had him. The son of a bitch blew me a kiss as he went by.” He kicked the ground, fouling the driveway with dirt.

Harv motioned toward the house. “We might find Dalton’s body in there.”

“If so, I hope his girls didn’t witness any of it.”

“You want me to go in?”

“Hell, I’ve come this far.”

***

“I’m still alive,” Montez said.

“This isn’t a secure line. No names. What do you want?”

“I want you to call off your dogs.”

“They aren’t my dogs. Don’t you get it? I’m not calling the shots anymore.”

“Then I suggest you call in a favor.”

“Why would I do that?”

“Self preservation,” he said. “I have no desire to see you mired in scandal, or anyone else, for that matter. I’d like a certain amount of money deposited into my account. Tonight.”

“Then what?”

“Then I disappear and you won’t have to look over your shoulder for the rest of your life.”

“That door swings both ways. Suppose I agree, which I’m not sure I do. What guarantee do I have you won’t resurface someday?”

“My word.”

Montez heard the sarcastic laugh on the other end.

“That’s it? Your word?”

“Need I remind you I’ve kept your dirty secrets for fourteen years?”

“They’re not my secrets.”

“Is that all you care for your country?” Montez asked. “If anyone should be distrustful, it’s me. Do you take me for a fool? I’ve been planning against this betrayal for a long time. Did you really think killing me would protect anything?”

“It wasn’t my doing.”

“It doesn’t matter who gave the order. You’re a smart man. I’m offering you the lesser of two evils.”

“Who are you to talk about evil?”

“Oh, I see. You eat the steak but refuse to be blamed for the death of the cow.”

“Nice try.”