“Yeah. I got another recording of Thomas and I thought you should hear it. Also, I did some digging. Remember The Syndicate?” Jason nodded, “Well, they’re real. And this is going to sound crazy, but they are everywhere.”
“Everywhere where?”
“Everywhere, everywhere!” She threw her arms into the air, “Like all over the world. The organization comprises underworld bosses, like Leo Martinez, influential business men… Even politicians!”
Jason followed her to a study where she opened a black laptop.
“I don’t get it.”
She looked up from behind the laptop, “I know it’s a lot to take in, but…”
“No, that’s not what I meant. I meant, I don’t get how you know all this.”
A proud smile lit up her face, “I’m a total nerd…” Her face turned light-red, “I’ve always been good with computers. So, Walter, he introduced me to hacking. And that led to me helping him win his cases.”
“But that’s illegal!” Jason burst out in disgust.
“Well, illegal according to who? Corrupt lawmakers? They protect the very criminals you try to put away every day…”
Jason frowned.
“People like Thomas Patrick and Leo Martinez don’t play by the rules, Jason. Why should we?”
“So, Walter… He wasn’t that smart, huh? He had his little sister do all the dirty work?”
“What can I say? Men love to take the credit.” She smiled, “Come here.”
Jason walked over, wondering what he had gotten himself into. If he presented all Beatrice had given him as evidence, what would he say if the judge asked where it got it from. Could he lie about something like that? He scanned the laptop screen. It displayed folder upon folder of documents, videos and audio files.
“Unbelievable…” He mumbled.
“Believe it!” She said and laughed.
She opened a drawer and grabbed a pair of earphones. Like last time, she took the courtesy of inserting an earpiece into Jason’s ear. He arched an eyebrow as he watched her insert the other one into her own ear.
“There are recordings of your voice moments before Walter Sidney’s death. And Jason knows about your connection with Carlos. It’s enough to call you in for questioning.”
“How the hell is that possible? Who made the recordings?”
“I don’t know. I tried everything, but I couldn’t find out who it came from.”
“I told you we should’ve gotten rid of that cop when he was half dead in the hospital.”
“Now is not the time to point fingers. We need to get rid of him. The faster, the better. Make it look like an accident.”
“Romero will handle it.”
“You mean the guy who failed the last time?”
“I said he will handle it! Just do your part. Find out who is giving Jason the information and get rid of them.”
“What? Leo, I am the Chief of Police; I cannot get my hands dirty under any circumstances. I’ll find the person, but the rest is up to you.”
“Yeah, OK, princess.”
Jason slammed against the table, “That’s concrete evidence! That’s what we needed!”
He plucked out the earpiece and started pacing, “Romero, huh? I’ll find you, bastard!”
He looked to Beatrice, who was sitting quietly in the chair.
“Beatrice? What is the matter?” He approached and kneeled in front of her.
“What will I do if they find me? You heard them; they want me dead.”
“No one will hurt you. I won’t allow it.”
Her eyes lit up a bit; she smiled at Jason, “I know you’ll protect me, Jason.”
He cleared his throat when the moment got too awkward for his liking and stood up. He exited the study in a hurry.
“Where are you going?”
“It’s time Thomas Patrick pays for his crimes.” He said bluntly.
“You just promised me protection and now you’re in a hurry to run to your death!” She scolded.
“Excuse me?”
“It was the same with my brother. He didn’t think twice about the implications of rushing into the line of fire with no plan at all. Do you think you will find Thomas just sitting at home, waiting for you to barge in? He knows you’re on to him!” She breathed rapidly, staring intently into Jason’s eyes, “He’s probably in hiding, expecting the news of your death.” She calmed down a bit, “You are in danger, Jason. Now is not the time to run around playing mister macho. How will you stop them and protect me if you’re lying dead in some dodgy New York alleyway?”
“You’re right, I cannot confront Thomas right now. And there is a target on my back. I can’t stay here and endanger your life, too.”
“But…”
“Don’t call me. I’ll contact you if I need anything.”
He plucked the door open and stepped outside.
“AARGH!”
He staggered back quickly and shut the door.
“Jason?!” Beatrice hurried to him.
“Cover the all the windows!”
He brought his hand to his chest. An intense pain throbbed through him. Beatrice frantically ran for the curtains of the entrance hall. Glass shattered as she slid the curtain. She yelled.
“Are you all right?!”
“Yeah… Get me something to cover my hand!”
She ran to the kitchen and came back with a few towels. She wrapped it around his hand and helped him to his feet.
“Aargh, thank you,” he took a breath and held his hand up to stop the bleeding, “We need to get out of here, right now.”
Leo lounged at his indoor pool, savoring the aroma of the tequila in his hand. He eagerly awaited news from either Carlos or Badrick.
“Señor?”
“What is it now?” He sat up and looked at his butler with annoyance.
“There are people in the lobby for you.”
“What, now?” He barked, “Tell them to get lost. They can make an appointment.”
“But Señor, they insisted. They mentioned something about a syndicate.”
Leo’s eyes shot up. The blood drained from his face. He staggered to his feet.
“Make sure they are comfortable. I’m coming.”
TO BE CONTINUED
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rhiley McCabe is an emerging fiction author and the creator of the nail-biting thriller series, “In The Line of Fire”.
“Stormy Inferno” is the third book in the series.
He specializes in the thriller, crime and suspense genres; his work promises to have you at the edge of your seat from start to finish.
Rhiley lives in Belfast, Northern Ireland with his wife and five children. They often take trips to other countries during summer months. The inspiration for his stories come from the many places he visits and the people he gets to meet on these trips.
Visit this link for exclusive bonus content and updates on the “In The Line of Fire” series.
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Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Contents
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
About the Author
Stormy Inferno (Thriller Stories To Keep You up all Night) (In The Line of Fire Book 3) Page 4
