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He sputtered and continued sweating, beads sliding down his face. “I didn’t do anything like that. I swear to God.”
Exhaling, I moved to a standing position, holding his weapon casually in my hand. I’d used intimidation tactics my entire life successfully, and given what I knew about the man, I had a feeling I wouldn’t need to resort to more brutal techniques. Then I pointed it at his head, shaking mine. “Sanford. You have no other choice but to tell me the truth. If you don’t, I’ll be forced to pull the trigger.”
“Don’t you dare!” He had the nerve to stand, pointing a shaking finger at me. I was certain he was going to cry, at least start begging. When he realized what he’d done, he slowly flopped onto the sofa, cradling his head in his hands.
He’d opted for sobbing instead of pleading.
I gave him a few seconds before clearing my throat. “Provide the information and you’ll live.”
Tick. Tock.
Almost a full minute transpired, but by the way his body was shaking, I sensed he was terrified of the other party almost as much as the man standing in front of him.
“I don’t know. Okay? I swear to God. He has my family. He’s holding them hostage. Okay? He told me if I didn’t provide information, including coming down here and spying on you that they’d be killed.”
I knew when a man was lying. He was telling me the truth. “What do you mean you don’t know?”
“His goons paid me a visit. They knew all about the missing funds. That started it. They said they were going to tell you exactly where I was.”
“Then what?”
“Then the asshole dug his claws into me. I only spoke to him on the phone, my wife screaming in the background.”
“Did he give you a name, any reference?” Now I was seething.
“No. I swear to you. I just…” He took a few seconds, sobbing to the point I felt sorry for him.
“Think, Wallace. Men like that usually enjoy pontificating, providing you with a reference to remember him by.”
He sniffled and wiped his nose. Then I could see a light going off in his mind. “He called himself the Preacher.”
I closed my eyes, the rage dissipating. “You did very well, Wallace. I can promise you that I will make certain your family is safe. But here’s what you’re going to do for me. And after you do, you’re going to find yourself a hiding spot where you’ll stay alone. Do you understand me?”
He studied me, searching my eyes as if hoping I was telling him the truth. “Yes, sir. I’ll do anything you ask. My family doesn’t deserve this.”
“No, they don’t.” As I gave him orders, I could tell he was absorbing every word.
As I walked out, I could tell he’d become a fractured man.
At least I’d allowed him to live. I would follow up on my promise to save his family. After all, I was a man of my word.
I made it outside, staring up at the sky as twilight began to make its path into the city. I’d always known the past would come back to haunt me. This wasn’t a game of cat and mouse any longer. This was one of Russian roulette.
It was about time the Preacher got his day.
Soon, I would drive a bullet between Devon’s eyes.
* * *
Horns blasted as I cut back and forth between traffic, swerving around every oncoming vehicle. I had to get back to the house. Devon had prepared a trap that I’d fallen into. I remained calm, but the explosion was coming. First, I had to make certain Eden was secured in a safe location where the asshole couldn’t get to her. Then I’d go on a hunt, tearing the city apart until I found him.
My instinct told me he was in town. There was no doubt he would want to handle my execution his way. The finish to what had been started almost ten years before.
As my phone rang, I yanked it into my hand, answering without looking at the screen.
And all I heard was laughter.
“Well, well, Preacher man. I guess it’s time you and I met face to face.”
