Page 46 of Bitter Spirits

Locke waited a beat. “That’s it? That’s all you’ve got?”

Zev shrugged. “You want her to let you in, so you need to show her you’re willing to do the work to be there. That you see her as an equal, not someone to fix or save. And heads up, it’ll be a lot of work.”

Of that Locke had no doubt. “But it will be worth it.”

“Definitely,” Zev said.

Locke settled into a chair across from Zev at a table in Haven’s Corner. The small, witchy café was nestled in a strip mall up in the Camelback Corridor. From her stool behind the counter, Maeve, the owner, was armed with her ever-present knitting needles as she kept a benevolent eye on the customers. Her current project was an eye-searing collection of greens and yellows.

“Who suggested meeting here?” Locke broke off a piece of crumbly scone and popped it into his mouth.

“Me.” Zev’s gaze roamed over the midmorning patrons. “It’s not his normal scene, so less of a chance of running into anyone he knows.”

“It’s also not exactly the best place to discuss business, and I’m assuming that’s how Rory got him to agree to this meet.”

“She may have mentioned that Emilio was considering expanding his portfolio.”

Locke’s brows raised. “And he believed that?” Construction projects weren’t a Cordova Family interest—never had been.

“Never underestimate the self-deluding power of greed.” Zev eyed Locke over the rim of his cup as he sipped his coffee. “He’s not going to be happy you’re here.”

Locke leaned back in his chair, unconcerned. “If he recognizes me.”

“You think he won’t?”

“I think we have a fifty-fifty shot. He was pretty worked up when he confronted Angel.”

“Speaking of…” Zev settled back in his seat. “How dirty do you think this Angel is?”

“Fucking filthy. From what Isa shared about how he came up, it’s no surprise he’s got his hands in this mess.”

“You mentioned trafficking and drugs.” When Locke nodded, Zev said, “Those two interests tend to land high on the authorities’ radar.”

“Not if your ‘talent agency’”—Locke formed air quotes around the last two words—“is part of a larger enterprise fronting a criminal syndicate. And given that Angel’s a Harvester, it’s not hard to believe he’s got his fangs in quite a few key people.”

Zev studied him. “I had Roxy start running information on Angel or any known members of the Idyl Devils.”

Tension zipped through Locke. “And…?”

“And it’s slow going. Those that aren’t dead or in jail have buried their identities deep.” Zev drummed his fingers on the table. “And whoever Angel used to cover his tracks did a thorough job, because Roxy’s still untangling the knots.”

“Nothing that connects him to the Forge Foundation?”

Zev shook his head.

Locke wasn’t surprised. Nothing could ever be that easy. “Well, if Montenegro doesn’t give us anything, we need to hit up Janek Healy.”

Zev’s attention sharpened. “Healy? From Signature Enterprises?”

“Yeah, he was there last night too.” Locke rubbed the back of his neck. “I thought I told you that.”

“You didn’t.”

Locke winced. “Shit, sorry.” There was something in Zev’s expression that had him asking, “What?”

Zev gave a half shake of his head. “Maybe nothing, maybe something.” He took out his phone and sent off a text as he kept talking. “It’s just that the Thatchers were angel investors with Healy’s Signature Enterprises.”

“Are you serious?” A sharp sense of anticipation woke, as if Locke had caught the faintest hint of a revealing scent.