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Lunceford shook his head. “You’re wrong again. I am the reason TBK exists. I was there in the early years. They are still using my platforms for many of their programs. I wanted my just rewards. Using some contacts I had, I was able to get a meeting with Mitrofanov.”
How far is Lunceford’s reach? Jason bristled but held his tongue.
“Pulling the Russian’s strings was child’s play. I played on Niklaus’s ego and greed. We both had one thing in common. We want to burn Destiny and all its citizens to the ground.”
“Stop wasting our time, Lunceford.” Jason despised the bastard. Somehow they’d fallen into Kip’s trap, but it was his duty to make sure they all came out alive. “We know that already.”
“Fuck off, Kip.” Josh stood. “I’m going to get us out of here.” He went to the keypad and Corey joined him.
Mitchell and Lucas headed to the other one by the front door.
“Knock yourself out, Mr. Phong. The only way to open the doors now is from the other side. You killed Mitrofanov’s men. No one is coming.”
“You bastard,” Phoebe shouted.
“Where was I?” Kip asked, ignoring her. “Ah, yes. When Niklaus made it clear that he was going to keep the five million for himself, I engaged my plan. I always have several contingencies in place. It’s a game to me, folks. And I always win. Like now. Ms. Blue, did you know that I’m the one behind the Braxton suit against Ste
ele Ranch? Of course you didn’t. An associate of mine, God rest his heroin-addicted soul, took on the identity I set up for him.”
“Mr. Harrison Rutledge. You knew him?”
“No. I created him. A fictional character that I knew Braxton would hire. I’m very proud of my creation. Rutledge is one of my best works.”
“Why? What do you have against Jennifer Steele?” Phoebe asked.
“Only that she is a citizen of Destiny, but that wasn’t the reason I got the ball rolling with the lawsuit. It was part of my contingency plan, Ms. Blue. Braxton’s headquarters are in Chicago. Niklaus’s base of operation was also in Chicago. Are you catching on? It was my plan all along to get you here when I deemed necessary. That’s why my associate requested the deposition to be this morning. Then I sent you a text from your dear brother, and, voila, you came. My plan worked perfectly.”
Knowing Lunceford had been pulling strings to get to Phoebe enraged Jason. “I will kill you, asshole. I will find you. You won’t be able to hide. I will rip you to shreds.”
“Which brings me to another part of my plan, which also turned out just the way I wanted. Sheriff, I’m so glad to see that you and your brothers are back with Ms. Blue. Anyone can see you belong together.”
“You had nothing to do with that, motherfucker.” Mitchell’s emotions were clearly raw and full of rage.
“But on the contrary, I had everything to do with it. Mr. McCrae and I became friends quite a while ago.”
“No fucking way.” Lucas’s eyes were filled with rage.
“Yes, fucking way. I wanted to be able to get the sheriff to Chicago, too. With you and Mitchell. Life is like a chess game, gentlemen. I’m hundreds of moves ahead of my opponents—that’s everyone from Destiny—at all times. Poor McCrae. He was in love with you, Phoebe. Truly. A deluded fool, but harmless. Andy believed I would be able to get you to fall in love with him, Ms. Blue. I’m sure I could have, but that didn’t fit into my plan. When McCrae went off script and sent those roses, he almost ruined all of my work. I had to bring in another associate to retire him.”
How many people does Lunceford have working for him?
“Sheriff, you surprised me when you pocketed Mr. Blue’s wallet. So unlike you. Fake identifications are so easy to get these days.” Lunceford laughed.
Jason’s pulse pounded hot. He’d been played by the fucker.
“Having my associate plant that billfold worked exactly as I thought it would. You thought Shane was the murderer. The photo of him and Mitrofanov got you to Chicago exactly when I wanted.” Kip’s face darkened. “Which brings me to Shane Blue. All of you judged him. Three years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit.”
Kip’s words shocked and sliced him in two.
Phoebe’s eyes were wide. “What? You did that to my brother? He’s innocent of everything?”
“Actually, he isn’t, at least not to me. Shane and a Mr. Black teamed up, unbeknownst to any of you. The drug dealing charge was a ruse. The CIA wanted someone on the inside of the prison to get close to me. Fools. Shane was one of the best undercover agents I’ve ever run across, but I’m better. In fact, I’m the best.”
Shane was an undercover agent. Everything that had happened had been orchestrated by Mr. Black. Jason looked down at his friend, seeing him in a new light. Even what had gone down in the diner must’ve been to push him away. Shane had a mission to do. Three years in prison? My God, you’re a fucking hero. No wonder nothing made sense about what happened back then.
“Shane muddled many of my plans. Finally, I had a competitor that was worthy of my merit. But of course, I figured out who he really was. That’s why I made sure he made his parole. I’m certain Black, God rest his soul, and Shane were surprised by that outcome.”
“Jason,” Phoebe whispered in a panicky tone. “Shane’s breathing is shallow.”
