Chapters (38)
- Cover
- Half Title Page
- Title Page
- Dedication
- ONE
- TWO
- THREE
- FOUR
- FIVE
- SIX
- SEVEN
- EIGHT
- NINE
- TEN
- ELEVEN
- TWELVE
- THIRTEEN
- FOURTEEN
- FIFTEEN
- SIXTEEN
- SEVENTEEN
- EIGHTEEN
- NINETEEN
- TWENTY
- TWENTY-ONE
- TWENTY-TWO
- TWENTY-THREE
- TWENTY-FOUR
- TWENTY-FIVE
- TWENTY-SIX
- TWENTY-SEVEN
- TWENTY-EIGHT
- TWENTY-NINE
- THIRTY
- Acknowledgments
- About the Author
- Back Ads
- Back Cover
“We could use good,” Sheriff Huggins said.
“We tracked that painting to Atlanta.”
“The one that was in Miami on Saturday?” Charlie leaned forward. “How? There’s no mail service on Sundays.”
“The mailing labels they’ve been using are fake, or at least this one was. A man not wearing a uniform picked up the painting late Saturday night and delivered it yesterday afternoon to a house known for drug activity. Our team breached the location and found the painting being covered with a colored paste of methamphetamine.”
Charlie frowned. “Say again.”
“They melt the meth into a gelatin-type substance. They paint it onto the canvas and, once the gel dries, it can be scraped off, remelted, and then distributed.”
“They’re painting the drugs onto the canvas?” Sheriff Huggins seemed to be saying it aloud for his own benefit.
“We found several more paintings in various stages inside the home. They all had mailing labels with the address of the gallery in Savannah.”
“Was the house occupied?”
“Just one man. One of the painters—we’re assuming there are more than one by the number we found inside the house—but he hasn’t been very cooperative. We believe he’s the boyfriend of Marco Solis’s sister, which brings me to the bad news. Marco Solis’s body was discovered in a dumpster off River Street last night.”
Stunned silence filled the room. If anyone other than Miguel was responsible for Sydney’s murder, it was Marco—and now he was dead. Part of Charlie was relieved. If Marco was the one harassing Lane, then that meant she was safe now. But Miguel was still missing.
“Now, you tell me some good news.” Agent Edmonds’s deep voice cut into the silence. “Or is it bad news?”
“It’s news. Good or bad might be up for interpretation after what you’ve just told us.” Charlie was halfway through explaining about the photos when a thought occurred to him. “Agent Edmonds, do you know anything about Abas Nawabi?”
Silent seconds ticked by. “He’s been on the DEA’s watchlist for some time as one of the main contributors bringing meth into the Middle East and parts of Europe.” Agent Edmonds’s tone went flat. “I’m curious how you came up with that name.”
Charlie studied the photos in his hand. “I’m looking at surveillance photos the FBI took of Abas Nawabi. They include Marco Solis and Annika Benedict together from three years ago. And I think I saw Abas Nawabi in Savannah the first time we questioned Annika.”
“You saw Abas Nawabi in Savannah?” Agent Edmonds’s question was leveled in disbelief.