“They’re both psychotic and obsessed with the Savages. She posted a job on the dark web. We took it. Built a mega virus to attack their corporation. When he found out who it was, he volunteered our services. It’s been a vicious merry-go-round ever since.”
I tap the piece of paper. “Her name and address?”
He shakes his head. “No, Philip first. I’ll give you her info after you give him to me.”
Frustrated, I glance at Thiago, who gives me a single nod.
“We’ll do an exchange. Let us know when and where,” I inform him. “Use the same method to communicate.”
“The rootkit was clever. I assume it was on the drive Diego gave me,” he says with a snort.
“I laid it on the table, and he snatched it up,” I reply.
David grabs his coffee and gets up. “We need to make the exchange today. She’s losing it. After the success you had with Epic in Austin and the demonstration yesterday, she’s pinpointed you as the reason she’s failing to bring down Santos. All I want to do is get my father and get out of here. You can have them.”
He heads out the door.
“Well, that was interesting,” I say, but before I can continue, a scream pierces the air. It’s coming from outside.
Jumping up, I ignore Mitch’s order to wait and collide with Thiago on my way out. He pushes me behind Mitch and sprints outside.
Mitch steps in front of me and clears a path through the crowd. Per protocol, he heads to the SUV where we can pick up reinforcements. A crowd is gathered in the street. I turn my head to the left and see a familiar looking brown shoe by the curb.
“David.”
I leave Mitch and run toward the crowd in the center of the road. Pushing through, I drop down on my knees beside David. His body is bent at odd angles, and a weird gurgling noise is coming from his chest.
“David, it’s Henley. It’s okay. Hold on, the ambulance is coming,” I urge him. “Can you hear me? You need to be strong for your dad. He’s expecting you to save him.”
“Save him,” he repeats. “You, Henley.”
“I’m here. Stay with us. You need to save your dad. Do you hear me?”
He says something, but I can’t quite make it out. I lean down and he whispers one word. “Worthington.”
Large hands grip my shoulders and pull me out of the way. The ambulance is here, but they’re too late. He’s gone.
I turn to the man holding me and lay my head on his chest. “Two down, two to go.”
Maybe I should feel something for David, but I can’t. He knew. From the beginning. All those years of being stalked and terrorized. He could have helped me. Maybe if he had, my mother would still be alive. Sometimes, karma’s a bitch, and she runs you over in the middle of the street.
CHAPTER40
MATEO
Thiago and Grayson head out with the security team to the address David gave them. Henley and I take the elevator to the holding cell in the basement where Philip Carlton waits for us. When Thiago called to let us know what happened, I thought she would be distraught over David’s death, but she isn’t.
She calmly sits down and tells Philip every word David said to her. When he asks for clarification about the stalking, she explains how her dating David caught the eye of Langford. When Philip asks to see the paper with the address, she hands it to him.
“It’s in his handwriting,” he reflects softly, running his finger over the paper. “David’s life would have been so different if he hadn’t met Harrison Langford. As his professor, he could have helped David turn away from a life of crime. Instead, he’s the reason David never got out. It’s his fault David is dead. So, what happens now?”
Henley looks at me.
“As Thiago stated earlier, you’re fired with cause, but given the circumstances, we won’t hand you or the evidence over to the authorities. If you decide to pursue us for any reason, the first thing we’ll do is send the information to the FBI. Do you understand?” I ask him.
“I understand,” he states quietly.
Sadness hits me and I reach over and clasp his arm. “I wish it hadn’t ended like this—for both of us. You helped me build a fabulous team at SEI. We’ll go on to do great things.” Without you. I don’t have to say it, though, the regret is apparent in every line of his face.
