“She has good reasons. I saved her rear.”

“She owes you?”

“She’s my sister. Nothing’s owed.” I assumed a bug recorded our conversation, another one of Marissa’s tests.

“Are you in favor of the business expansion?”

“Depends on what’s in it for me.”

“Heroin sales are up, and I’m Liu’s biggest client.” He downed the wine. “Love what’s inside those boxes of spark plugs and washer blades. What’s more important than money?”

“Who’s managing it and where it’s invested.”

The door opened, and Marissa and Feng returned. Maybe now I’d learn what they planned together. Feng closed the door, and the two joined us at the table.

“John, we’ve come to an agreement,” Marissa said. “Are you ready to address the details?”

“Let’s order another bottle of wine and make a toast first.”

Marissa slid into her chair. “We’ll toast when there’s reason to celebrate.”

“What are the stipulations?” John massaged his temples. “I have a horrible headache. Feel sick.” His body twitched and convulsed.

I scooted back my chair and attempted to stand, but Marissa grabbed my arm. “Where are you going?”

“He needs help.” The words left my mouth the instant murder bannered across my mind.

John’s face fell onto the table, his mouth agape with white foam oozing out.

“Feng, would you contact the manager.” Marissa showed no more emotion than what I’d seen when she killed the agent. “I think John’s proposal just expired.”

77

DENTON

I couldn’t get to Miami’s FBI office fast enough. Mike and I grabbed our tagged bags before leaving the airport in Miami and hailed a taxi.

Our phones fired a notification at the same time. Never a good sign or I’d allowed my poor attitude to call the shots.

I read the info from FBI Houston’s office.

FBI arrests Shelby Pearce for the murder of John Rudder. Evidence linked to cyanide poisoning.

Mike cursed. “You’ve got to be kidding.”

I stopped along the hallway leading to the car rental exit and pressed in ASAC Leonard’s number. The guy annoyed me, but he had answers. “What’s the deal with Shelby?”

“I’ll send you and Mike what we have. Your Ms. Innocent was the last person with Rudder. A server says she gave him her glass of wine, which we’ve learned had been laced with cyanide.”

“Where did this happen?”

“Stage 7 in Miami. Marissa Stover and Feng Liu were with them. According to Stover and Feng, they excused themselves from a private dining area to chat, leaving Shelby alone with the victim. When the two returned, Rudder showed immediate signs of poisoning.”

“Two suspected kingpins in money laundering and drugs are valid witnesses?”

“They are when evidence points to an ex-con committing another murder. As far as I’m concerned, all three are guilty, but your girl has the least going for her.”

“This has setup smeared across it. We’re on our way to the Miami office.” I slid my phone into my pant pocket while informing Mike of the conversation.

Miami’s FBI proved more cooperative. Agent Kyle Van Dyke, Lance Mason’s partner, met with Mike and me. Van Dyke, barely out of his twenties, reminded me of myself years back.