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I took a deep breath and headed for the elevator, loathing the fact I had to leave. Once the doors were closed, I raked my hands through my hair. I had a feeling the police would take the single opportunity of having me inside their precinct to grill the fuck out of me. Hopefully, they got their fill. It was never going to happen again.
Sante had already arrived, standing against his Mercedes. He’d driven in from Miami, the firm the sister of the one we used in New Orleans. The man was sharp, more so than I’d originally given him credit for. I’d secured him in particular given hisfamily was still in Cartagena. His heritage had proven to be helpful more than once.
His family happened to be in the diamond brokerage business, which had provided my family with significant experience and tutelage once we’d made the decision to get into precious jewels.
When I approached, he pushed away from the vehicle, lifting his sunglasses. “You don’t look like a man who rose from the ashes.” He threw out his hand, waiting as I took my time to accept the gesture.
“Yeah, well, fortunately, I wasn’t there when it started.”
“So I heard. The daughter of your business partner. You do like playing with fire.” He grinned after a few seconds, which was something he rarely did.
“News travels fast.”
“Always in this part of the world.”
“Let’s get this over with. I’m not going to be questioned for hours.”
“It’s best to cooperate right now. You know that.”
“Bullshit. And you know it.” I climbed into the passenger seat of his car, glancing out the front windshield, able to see two of my men strolling from one side of the complex to the other. “What do they have?”
“You mean other than the actual evidence? One of your men swearing you gave the orders.”
I sucked in my breath. “Which man?”
“Oh, no. You’re not going to end his life. I doubt you want to add murder charges on top of everything else.”
“How much are the party favors worth?”
“The police estimated four million street value, but they don’t know shit. If it’s pure, which I’ll guess it is, then it could be double.”
The value was enough to keep me in prison for a long time. “Are they planning on charging me?”
“You’d be in jail if they were. At this point,” Sante continued, “it’s just a fishing expedition. Don’t give them ammunition, Francois. I know you far too well.”
“No, I don’t plan on making their day.” We were silent for a full five minutes as he drove away from Duval. When I heard my phone ring, I instantly bristled. Seeing Thomas’ number didn’t bode well. “What did you find?”
“It’s what I didn’t find. Brandon Baxter had no meeting in Germany, Italy, or anywhere near there. So far, I haven’t tracked his flight from London. Maybe he used a false name.”
Fuck. “Try South America and Cuba.”
“Are you sure you want to know?”
I thought about Thomas’ question. “No, but it’s required. Any news there?”
“The police are scrambling to locate the arsonist, but the press has already put the situation together enough the family was on the morning news. National. We’re the biggest crime syndicate in the world right now, our market shares trending.”
“Are the stocks falling?”
“Just the opposite. Being notorious will make us millions.”
I wasn’t certain that was good to hear. “Find the damn plane Brandon was on.”
“I’ll see what I can do.”
As soon as the call ended, I texted Rocco with the information. He had trackers all over the world. If anyone could find out where Brandon went, he could.
“Trouble in paradise?”
