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“Doesn’t matter. I chose selfishly. I can admit that. I try to make amends now, financial amends. It won’t bring anyone back, but I try. And he can’t hurt anyone anymore. Thiago and I made sure of that.”
“You made him disappear.”
“What’s the saying? Live by the sword, die by the sword? When my five years was up, he decided to add another five. He could do that. He held all the power. But he made a mistake. Overreached. You see, Thiago was as trapped as I. Alone, he and I would still be the Commander’s dogs. But together, we were stronger than him. I knew there could always be another five years, and another after that, and another after that. And I was finished.”
“I’m glad he’s gone.” I look up at him. “Was Camilla in love with you or something?”
He looks down at me, one dark eyebrow raised. “You give her too much credit. A snake cannot feel emotion. It only wants to sink its venomous fangs into its prey. What else did she say?”
“Doesn’t matter. Nothing important. Are you going to tell me where you were?”
“Madelena—”
“We’re learning to trust each other, right? Tell me.”
He hesitates but then nods. “The message I’d sent to Thiago the night you told me he went over the catwalk finally delivered. And I got a reply.”
“What?” I sit up so fast water splashes out of the tub. “He’s alive? Thank God!”
“No, sweetheart. At least, I don’t know. It’s unlikely. I think someone is playing a game with us. And I don’t like it.”
16
SANTOS
At lunchtime the following day, my phone rings. I see Odin’s name on the display and answer.
“Rick figured out what that report is,” he says without greeting. He sounds off.
“Well, what is it?” I ask after a long pause on his end.
“I think you should meet us.”
“Why?”
“Just…”
“Fine. Where are you?” I ask, dread settling in my gut.
“At a bar called Brady’s outside of town. It’s off exit fourteen on highway 85.”
“I’ll be there in twenty minutes.”
I disconnect the call, grab my coat, and head out of the house. I know the bar from passing it but have never been inside, and I’m concerned why they chose that location to meet. Clearly, whatever Rick found is delicate.
I get to the bar, park and enter. Inside, the place is dimly lit, the windows tinted dark. It smells of stale beer and cigarettes smoked a decade ago. Country music is playing, and disco lights turn the empty dance floor various shades of red. Rick and Odin are sitting at a table at the far end of the bar, and I walk over, looking at each of the few patrons and recognizing no one. But Avarice’s upper class wouldn’t frequent this place. Hell, they wouldn’t be caught dead here.
I pull out the only empty chair at the table, take off my coat, drape it over the back and take a seat.
“Can I get you something?” a waitress asks.
“Club soda,” I say, raising my eyebrows at the two of them.
They each have a nearly empty beer in front of them and they order another round. Rick looks nervous, and Odin swallows what’s left in his glass.
“What did you find?” I ask when she’s gone.
Rick opens his backpack which is on the floor next to him and hands me the envelope that contains the burnt sheet of paper. Along with it, he holds out another one, this one thicker.
