“He was one of our first hires,” Z said. “And he wasnothappy when I let him go.”
“How long was he on board?” Simone asked.
Z paused. “A year.”
“What happened?” Luciano asked.
“I couldn’t work with him. His ego needed too much stroking, so I sent him back to the Bureau.”
“There’s no way he’s behind these attacks,” Simone said. “I don’t believe for a minute that he’s working with terrorists.”
“Don’t rule him out,” Z said.
Her mouth fell open. “He’s a Deputy Director at the Bureau.” Refusing to believe Peter was behind the explosions or the terror plot, she shook her head. “I’ll check him out, but I’d like that list.”
Z stood. “I’ll get it to you.” At the door, he turned back. “Mr. Santini, I have a job for you.”
Silence… for several beats.
“I run Santini International,” Luciano replied. “I can’t help you.”
“Oh, I think you can.” Z left, shutting the door behind him.
“What the hell was that?” Luciano asked. “One minute he’s spying on me, the next, he wants to hire me?”
“Just when I think I’ve got him figured out, he goes off the rails,” Sin added.
“He’ll never retire,” Luciano said. “What would he do?”
“Have fun,” Simone replied.
A smile filled Luciano’s face, then Sin flashed a grin.
“Heishaving fun,” Luciano said.
LUCIANO
Luciano rosefrom the conference table in Sin’s office. “There’s a lot of pressure to find The Bomb Maker before he blows up these buildings.”
“We’ve got nothing to go on and, now, this bogus lead that Hirzog could be behind this,” Simone bit out.
“I wasn’t expecting Z this afternoon,” Sin said. “I called you both in for something else.”
Evangeline rose. “I’ve got an off-site meeting, but let’s take a two-minute break so I can show Simone how to access our site.”
While the women huddled around the laptop at the conference table, Sin and Luciano moved across the room.
“Do you think Hirzog is working with The Bomb Maker?” Sin asked.
“We can’t rule anyone out,” Luciano replied.
“I never dismiss Z,” Sin said. “He’s credible.”
When Evangeline walked past, she rested her hand on Sin’s back “We’re all set. Good to see you, Luciano.” She winked at her husband, then left.
Sin stood there grinning like an idiot. Luciano chuckled. He knew the power of a woman’s love. He’d felt that once himself. A touch, a glance could undo him. As he redirected his attention to Simone, his hardened heart softened a little.
Is she my second great love, or am I destined to spend my life alone in a living hell?
