Hector left with Tracy’s hand in his, but it seemed more to keep her in line. If he acted like Cain thought, it wouldn’t be long before he flooded the streets for information. He’d want his own people trying to find answers to cut down the favors he’d owe if she beat him to it. That would be okay with her. Once people started talking, it wouldn’t take long for word to get to her.

“You know he’s not going to be able to help himself,” Finley said. She’d been sitting off to the side listening. “I don’t know him well, but he doesn’t seem like the type.”

“I know, and he’s going to keep hitting his head against a wall until he breaks something. If he’s doing that, it’ll give the guys outside something to watch other than us.” She tapped the side of her head and smiled. “Da used to say that shiny things are hard to look away from, and for us, Hector is the biggest shiny thing I could find.”

“What exactly does that mean?” Finley asked.

“Think about your old job. The feds are always watching, and I’d like them distracted as much as I can manage. There’s something about Pablo Castillo and Jerome Rhodes that bothers me. Why would Castillo hire someone to hit the pub? Who told him to do it? And why would Rhodes call Colin when there are plenty of people who could do the job he’s asking for?” She tapped her fingers on the desk and took a deep breath. “It’s a curious thing, and I haven’t figured it out yet.”

“What’s our next move?” Remi asked.

“We issue another invitation, only this one has to be private. I don’t want to give Mr. Castillo the chance to say no once we find him.”

✥ ✥ ✥

“The guy about creamed his pants when I told him we were on for a deal.” Colin’s smile was wide and genuine, and the skin by his eyes crinkled. He’d just gotten back from Jerome Rhodes’s place, and it sounded like the guy had gone for everything Cain had in mind.

That smile had gotten him out of more shit than Cain could imagine. “Good, and did you talk about Hector some more?” she asked.

“If you believe him, he’s grieving for old Hector, but he’s not turning down the business it’s throwing his way. We’re on for dinner at his place to discuss everything.” Colin took a cigar out of her humidor, but she shook her finger at him to keep him from lighting it. “I’ll go if you need me to, but this guy gives me the impression he’s always the smartest guy in the room.”