Nic Juliano waited as the young doctor climbed over him and Carter. Nic said, “Excuse you,” then to the senior FBI agent he asked, “He doesn’t like riding in cars?”

Carter said, “Dr. Burke adores automobiles and is quite an accomplished mechanic. He just doesn’t like riding in cars with other people.”

“I’m seeing a pattern there. He doesn’t have much patience, does he?”

“Well, he describes it more that neurotypicals are ‘a bunch of self-absorbed assholes who talk a lot of shit but don’t back any of it up’. That ‘we’ say one thing with our mouths and show something else with our actions. He actually loves people. He just doesn’t trust them. And I can’t say as I blame him.”

Ty Loria, the sharp-dressed Italian with the movie star good looks and blinking problem, finished a phone call, and said, “Shall we, gentlemen?”

The group piled out in front of a building that looked almost identical to the one in Henderson. Same windows. Same dark brown brick. Only missing a few minor cosmetic details that could be scheduled to be added before this new location launched.

Nic saw Burke off by himself puffing another cigarette. The guy smoked like a damn chimney.

Ty Loria stepped from the limo and instantly began to check his suit for lint. To all outward appearances, Loria looked like any other executive, although maybe a bit more self-important. But Nic knew better. He had never met Ty personally, but his family had dealings with the Loria crime syndicate, and Nic had met some of the Lorias at “family” events. By all accounts, they were a ruthless and powerful organization. And from what he had heard, Ty Loria was one of the worst in the bunch. The story Nic had heard went that Ty discovered one of his men referring to him by the nickname Twitch. Ty responded by removing the man’s eyelids.

That made it all the stranger when Loria International shifted away from its less than legal activities and put all of its financial eggs into GoBox. Still, Nic knew the type and was sure that there was more to GoBox than the publicly facing legitimate business.

Loria looked to Carter and said, “Where would you like to begin?”

“I’m going to leave that to Dr. Burke,” Carter said. “When he’s done with his cigarette.”

Ty Loria had a way of projecting himself as important when he spoke. He had a commanding voice and presence, but it was much more than that. Loria puffed out his chest and tilted back his head, almost looking down on other people. He reminded Nic of a strutting turkey. One that blinked a lot.

The unassuming CIA agent with the perpetual smile was another story. Despite the friendly demeanor, the intelligence agent had a ruthless confidence in his eyes. Nic had seen the same look in a few of the psychopaths whom Papa Juliano employed for “specialized” work.

Burke finally finished his cigarette, and the tour began.