With the pistol pressed against Hugo’s temple, Nathan said, “I can read the lies written on your face.”
Hugo spit blood as he said, “I’m not lying. I swear to god I’m not.”
Nathan pressed his face close enough to smell Hugo’s breath. “Swear to me!”
“I swear,” Hugo cried. Nathan brought his knee up and connected with Hugo’s stomach. He collapsed in a heap.
Nathan paced a tight circle. “Who else, Hugo?” he asked, “Who else could hack the Identchip network and leave false data on me behind?” Nathan watched Hugo tremble on the ground. His shoulders heaved and blood pooled beneath his face. “You thought you could double-cross me and get away with it?”
“He thought he’d be gone by now,” Quinn offered.
Hugo raised his head. Nathan saw the truth in his defiant stare. “You got me.” Hugo spat a line of blood on the concrete. “I saw a way out from under your oppressive thumb, and I took it. You don’t own me anymore, Miller.”
Nathan stopped pacing. He holstered his weapon and lifted Hugo with both hands. Pinning his legs against the rail, Nathan pushed Hugo’s top half out over the edge. “You think you’ve done something smart here, Eric?” Hugo struggled against Nathan’s iron grip. Nathan pushed him further out over the water. “When did Logue approach you?”
Hugo squealed, “He didn’t.”
“I say drop him,” Quinn said.
“You’re getting heavy,” Nathan warned.
“Please!” Hugo pleaded for his life, “I swear I don’t know Logue.”
Nathan pulled him back in and placed his forearm under Hugo’s chin. “Then who gave you my identifier?”
Hugo’s chest heaved from the effort to catch his breath and calm his nerves. Tears stained his cheeks and blood bubbles formed at the end of his ruined nose. He choked and said, “My boss—Tiberius Holt.”
Quinn looked sidelong at Nathan. “How many enemies do you have, anyway?”
Nathan saw red. He pressed his forearm harder against Hugo’s throat. “You’re a pathetic liar. I’ve never met Holt. What reason would he have to frame me?”
Hugo gasped for air. His hands swatted Nathan’s arm in a feeble attempt to relieve the pressure on his airway. “He…didn’t…say.”
Quinn whispered in Nathan’s ear, “He’s protecting Logue. You can’t trust him. Finish him.” Nathan increased the pressure on Hugo’s windpipe. He watched his eyes bulge and his color fade. Hugo spluttered, his tongue unable to form words. Nathan stepped back and let Hugo crumple to the ground, coughing and wheezing.
“What are you doing?” Quinn demanded, “End him.”
Nathan drew his pistol and aimed it at Hugo’s head. “Get up.” Hugo coughed again. Nathan grabbed him by the collar and tossed him against the railing. “Climb up and jump.”
Hugo struggled to breathe. He glanced over the railing at the rushing water below. “Please,” he croaked. “I can’t swim.”
Quinn laughed. “Like it matters? As if the fall won’t kill him.”
Nathan took a menacing step forward. “Climb.”
Hugo sobbed and stepped up on the railing. His hands reached out to a support beam to steady his footing. Looking down at Nathan, Hugo begged, “Don’t do this. I can still help you.” He grimaced in pain. “Horde Protocol. I’ll give you…everything on it.”
Nathan sneered. “On your word? You’ve exhausted your value. I’ll get what I need from the source. Jump.”
Hugo shook his head. “I—I can’t.”
Nathan raised his pistol and said, “It’s a simple choice. Jump, and you might live. Refuse, and you will die. Either way, you’re going in the drink.”
Hugo swallowed. He turned on unsteady legs and balanced on the railing. Nathan stepped forward, and Hugo swan dived off the bridge. Leaning over the railing, Nathan heard the splash echo under the bridge and lost sight of Hugo in the darkness.
“I’ll be damned,” Quinn said, “he sank like a stone.”
48
They sat in the living room and stared at each other. Neither one spoke for a long time, both unsure what to say to alleviate the awkwardness between them.
“We need to talk.”
Nathan heard Maria’s words and knew the unspoken meaning behind them. He rubbed the back of his head and said, “I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon, after …” The implications of his pause hung in the air between them.
Maria reached behind her chair and grabbed a duffel bag. She tossed it on the coffee table between them. “And I didn’t expect to find this in my house.”
“Uh-oh,” Quinn said, “busted.”
Nathan eyed the bag—the one he received from Logue at the last shipment. Not taking his eyes off it, he said, “You snooped.”
Maria raised her voice, “It’s my home. Do I want to know where you got all the money from?” Nathan looked at her and she continued, “Are you hiding this from the police? Did you hide it in my home so it wouldn’t be found when they arrested you? My god, is this why your Captain came here? Was he looking for your…blood money?”
Nathan swallowed a lump in his throat. “Let me explain—”
“Don’t,” Maria interrupted him. “I don’t want to hear another lie from you.” She wiped tears from her eyes and said, “Ever since your partner died, you’ve changed. You’ve become cruel. People told me you were bad news. They warned me about getting involved with you, but I didn’t listen. I saw the good in you. More fool me, I suppose. I thought you cared about me.”
“Maria, listen to me.”
“No!” Maria shook her head. “It’s all a show, isn’t it? You pretend to care about people in this neighborhood, but how can you, really?” She pointed to the duffel bag. “Is it drug money? Your cut for allowing drugs to flood our streets?”
Quinn crouched down beside Nathan and said, “I don’t think you’re going to talk your way out of this one.”
“Is this who you are?” Maria asked, “Just another corrupt asshole who profits from the suffering of the poor and downtrodden. How many died to put this money in your hands? How many more will die from the poison it bought?”
Nathan leaned forward and hung his head between his knees. “You don’t understand.”
“Oh, I understand,” Maria said, “I’ve held a mother’s hand as she grieved over the grave of her son. A child poisoned by the drugs you get rich on, killed by the violence you sanction.”
Nathan leapt to his feet and thrust a finger toward her. “I didn’t build the wall or choke the life out of the neighborhoods outside it. You think you know violence? I’m all that stands between the gangs and anarchy. Without me, it’s open warfare on the streets. You think you’d like that better?” He grabbed the duffel bag and asked, “Why shouldn’t I be compensated for my risk? The money is better in my hands than those of the gangs …”
He felt the lightness of the bag, and his voice trailed off. Looking at Maria, he unzipped the duffel. His eyes widened and his mouth hung open when he saw inside. Nathan clutched the empty bag tighter. “Where’s my money?”
Maria shook her head. “It’s not your money.”
“Where is it?” Nathan shouted.
Maria flinched in her chair. Defiant, she stared back at him. “It’s gone. I gave it away to a worthy cause.”
“Holy shit,” Quinn swore.
Nathan grabbed the coffee table with his left hand and tossed it against the wall. Maria jumped and fell backwards over her chair. She crawled away, but Nathan stopped her. He stood over her and watched her tremble in fright.
“Do it,” Quinn whispered beside him, “After what she’s done, who could blame you? Teach her a lesson, Miller. Show her what happens to people who cross you.”
Nathan glanced at Quinn from the corner of his eye. His right hand drifted to the pistol strapped to his hip. He held his hand over it and stared at Maria. She sat up and stopped her quivering lip. “You going to kill me now
too?”
Nathan closed his eyes. He silenced Quinn’s voice in his head and looked upon a woman he might’ve loved had circumstances been different. His hand moved away from the gun, and he turned his back to her. Blinking several times, Nathan headed toward the door.
Maria yelled behind him, “I can’t believe I ever let you touch me. We’re done. You hear me? I never want to see your face again.”
Nathan paused in the doorway. “I told you from the start.”
“What?” Maria asked.
Nathan looked at her with sad eyes. “I’m not the hero.”
49
“So, now what?”
Nathan shut his eyes and tried to ignore Quinn. His head pounded. He needed a clear head for his meeting at AmeriGEN in an hour, but Quinn refused to relent. “Eli is expecting three million bucks and thanks to your girlfriend, you’re a little light.” He smiled at Nathan. “Looks like you’ll make another enemy.”
Nathan opened his eyes a crack. The light in his living room worsened his building headache. His foot slipped off the ottoman as he reached forward to grab a pill bottle. His fingers brushed up against it and knocked it to the floor. Bending to retrieve it caused pulsating waves of agony to wash over him.
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave …” Quinn said, “You’re running out of allies, Miller. Vargas will be of no help given how Logue tried to frame you. Can’t tell me he acted alone on that one. Cain is gone, and it won’t be long until Semple is hunting for you after my transgression.”
Nathan popped a painkiller in his mouth and swallowed it dry. He watched Quinn tick off points on his fingers and felt his blood pressure rise.
“Now Hugo’s out of the picture. If what he said about Holt is true, you have another powerful enemy with an axe to grind. And let’s not forget, if your little alliance with King is successful, she’ll return to her crusade against you. Are you feeling all alone yet?” Quinn grinned cock-eyed at him. “Don’t worry, you’ll always have me.”
Nathan grunted. A frantic knocking started on his door. He lurched to his feet and muttered to himself. “What now?” The knocking continued without a break until Nathan opened the door. Shocked to see Joe on the other side, Nathan asked, “What is it? What’s wrong?”
“Sorry to bother you at home, Nate,” Joe said, “I knew you’d want to hear this though.” Nathan leaned forward and Joe broke out in a grin. “Bradley’s returned.”
Nathan looked past Joe and saw Bradley out on the sidewalk. To Joe he asked, “Was he taken by the blur?”
“Oh yeah,” Quinn said behind Nathan, “Then there’s that guy. You’re going to need a scorecard pretty soon to keep your enemies straight.”
Joe nodded. “Yes sir.”
Nathan furrowed his brow. “He let him go?”
“He escaped.” Joe leaned back to look at Bradley then bent his head closer to Nathan and lowered his voice, “Something’s changed with him though. He’s different now.”
Nathan grabbed Joe by the arms and gave him a slight shake. “Does he know where he was taken? Can he retrace his steps?”
Joe shrugged in Nathan’s grasp. “See, that’s the thing. Bradley’s sense of direction is, well…I’d wager he could find anything now.”
Nathan beamed. He waved for Bradley to come up the walkway and said to Joe, “I need you both to stay put here until I get back.”
“You’re leaving?” Joe asked.
“I have a meeting.” Nathan clapped Joe on the back. “Don’t worry, it’s related. Keep him safe, Joe. Stay out of sight until I return. If you’re right about your friend—if he can lead us to the blur—I can end him once and for all.”
50
A soft chime sounded as the elevator doors opened to reveal Tiberius Holt’s opulent penthouse office. White marble floors glistened under the glow of a setting sun. Roman pillars stretched floor to ceiling around a sunken seating area furnished with a leather sectional and matching chairs.
Alexis recognized a replica of the Resolute desk, the original at home in the Oval Office. Georges Seurat’s Sunday Afternoon on the Island of la Grande Jatte hung on the wall behind the desk.
Holt turned from the sunset and greeted them all with a warm smile. “Ms. King.” He approached her with his hand extended. “A pleasure to make your acquaintance. I’ve enjoyed reading your work.”
Alexis found his tone disarming. She offered a polite nod in kind. “Thank you.”
Holt turned to Elise. “You must be Ms. Paul.” He performed a slight bow to her and said, “Charmed.” His smile broadened when he faced Nathan. “The once-detective. I have to say, I’m surprised to find you aligned with Ms. King.”
Elise muttered under her breath, “You’re not the only one.”
“Terrible to read of your recent troubles.” Holt offered a handshake.
Nathan stared at it and shook his head. “You’re not that smooth.”
Holt retracted his hand. He waved to those assembled and said, “Please everyone, have a seat.” Holt took the plush seat facing the sectional while Alexis and Elise sat on the long arm of the sofa. Nathan remained standing beside a pillar. “Would anyone care for a drink of something?”
“We’re fine. Thanks,” Alexis answered.
Holt crossed his legs and pinched the crease of his pants. “Straight to business then. Ms. King, you intimated knowledge of Horde Protocol in securing this meeting. I’m curious what you think you know.”
Alexis said, “We know it factored in the death of Antonio Reyes.”
Holt’s eyes became downcast. “A huge loss for this company and…well, just senseless. A very tragic end for such a brilliant mind.”
Nathan snorted. “That’s what you have to say?”
“Miller.” Alexis gave him a stern look.
Holt shrugged and turned his calm eyes to him. “Is there something else I should say? What happened to Antonio was tragic and senseless. And had nothing to do with Horde Protocol.”
“But he worked on ectogenesis?” Alexis asked.
“That’s correct,” Holt said, “He made marvelous contributions in that area. We are where we are today due to his tireless belief in the project.”
Nathan crossed his arms over his chest and grunted. “And what did he contribute to Horde Protocol?”
Holt blinked at him. “I can’t imagine how he would’ve contributed to that protocol, Mr. Miller.”
Alexis watched Nathan’s eyes radiate malicious intent. She had no chance to intervene before Nathan said, “He didn’t contribute and, yet, the file was found on his HoloSphere. Can you explain that?”
Holt rose and walked over to the wet bar along one wall. He dropped ice cubes into a crystal tumbler and poured a clear liquid over them. They clinked and cracked in the silence of the room. Turning back to his guests, he took a drink and kept smiling. “My understanding is Horde Protocol is a network security program safeguarding our most sensitive files. An IT protocol wholly unrelated to Antonio’s ground-breaking work on ectogenesis.”
Alexis said, “His work on ectogenesis would be why the file was loaded on his HoloSphere then?”
Holt retook his seat and said, “That would make sense, yes.”
Alexis raised her hand to silence the objection she saw Nathan forming. She asked Holt, “Just a sidebar, do you think Antonio’s work on ectogenesis got him killed?”
Holt’s smile faltered for a moment. “That is an inflammatory and ludicrous question, Ms. King.”
Nathan demanded, “Do you have another explanation for why he was killed?”
Holt answered, “Wrong place, wrong time. You investigated the crime yourself, Mr. Miller. You, of all people, should know he wasn’t alone in that church.”
“But he was the target.”
Holt stared at Nathan. He chuckled. “I suppose you believe him the target because you found the Horde Protocol file in his possession? Circular logic, if I ever heard it.” Holt looked at Al
exis. “I thought you might possess information you shouldn’t, but you know nothing, do you?”
Alexis bristled under the weight of his judgment. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and said, “I know the confidence you show in ectogenesis is remarkable. You’ve yet to gain regulatory approval, yet you’ve had the facilities in place for years now. Is there a reason you’re so confident it will succeed?”
Holt stared at her over the rim of his glass. He took a drink and swallowed without taking his eyes off her. “Ms. King, are you insinuating my company has performed illegal experiments? Come now, you didn’t think I’d admit to such a crime, did you?”
Alexis gave him a coy smile. “Maybe not that one.”
“You have another one in mind?” Holt asked.
Nathan took a step forward. “You ordered the massacre inside St. Luke’s. You sent the killer there to silence Reyes. The same killer you sent after me.”
Alexis cringed. Holt shook his head and answered, “I’m afraid I don’t know Gene Nolan.”
Nathan pointed a finger at him. “We both know Nolan had nothing to do with the church massacre.”
“Is that what we both know?” Holt asked, his voice hardened to a razor’s edge, “Can this really be all you have?” His eyes roamed over them. “What was the plan? Hurl enough unfounded accusations at me in the hopes I will, what, corroborate some for you? I think this meeting is over.”
“Why did you agree to this meeting?” Alexis asked, “What do you gain from meeting with a discredited blogger and a disgraced former cop?”
Holt stared at her as he finished the last of his drink. He stood and returned to the bar for a refill. With his back to the room, he said, “I had to be certain you didn’t hold proprietary knowledge of this company.” He dropped more ice cubes in his glass and poured a clear liquid over them. Holt faced the room and said, “If you did I needed to know where you learned it from. It’s clear now, though, you have nothing aside from baseless accusations.”
He returned to his seat and raised his glass. “After everything I’ve been accused of since founding this company, I must admit not much surprises me anymore. I give you credit for at least doing that with your vivid imagination.”
Singularity Page 21
