Chapter 16

Chapter

Sixteen

T he cell rang.

“Taylor.”

“Croft. She just talked to Finn. I came in right at the end and told her to get her ass back to you in Monaco. She told me to tell you she sends her love. Finn says that’s really significant for Zara. However, Finn isn’t exactly forthcoming on the subject of the phone call. Two big items: she’s headed to meet Fariq?—”

“Shit, I was afraid of that. She has Thom’s laptop. I think he may have offered to rescind the contract on her life if she gave it to him.”

“We listened to the conversation on our end. We managed to bypass some of Fariq’s security measures. He also told her if she didn’t make the exchange, he’d have you killed. She told Finn Gerold Springer is dead.”

“How the fuck does she know that?” Noah asked, amazed at how quickly Zara could gather information.

“Finn says Zara told her, and that’s all she’s willing to give up. I can see if I can get more out of her.”

“No, leave your girl out of this. My guess is she spoke to Ghazil. That’s just the kind of info he would have and share with Zara.”

“I think you’re right. Baez texted me that Ghazil just let them know. Look, do you need me to head your way?”

“No, you sit tight. I sent Thom to meet with Avery. I told him if I’m not back to put my spitting wildcat on the plane, he and Avery should take off. I’ll check in when I can.”

“You sure you’re all right without any backup?”

“Zara isn’t the only one with friends in this neck of the woods. I’ll be fine just as soon as I catch up with her.”

“Yes,” Croft laughed, “but will Zara be fine?”

“Mostly. There are a few areas that will be getting some special attention.”

“I’ll bet there are. Take it easy, Noah. We’ll keep running it down from this end. If you want Avery and Thom to stay, even if it’s just in Monaco, holler, and we’ll get them set up.”

“Will do. And Croft? If Zara calls Finn again, tell Finn to tell her I love her, too.”

“Do you have any idea how tempting it is for me to give you a ration of shit about how fast you fell and the kind of woman you fell for?”

“I’ll bet, but a buddy wouldn’t do that until the other guy had his woman safe and back in his arms.”

“Yeah, you’re right.”

“Don’t sound so disappointed.”

“Noah?”

“Yeah?”

“Seriously, well done! Hughes is one helluva woman.”

“That she is. Look, while I’m thinking of it, Zara and I both think Springer planned to use Finn against Reid. I really don’t think Reid wanted his sister harmed or killed.”

“But Ghazil is pretty sure Reid is the one who put out the hit on Zara.”

“I agree. Zara is nothing to Reid. I just think Finn might sleep a little easier if she knows her brother didn’t set her up to be killed.”

“That makes sense. If Reid is worried about what was on the flash drive and lost it, but Springer got it back, Fariq would be forced to reconsider his options.”

“That’s what we were thinking. I think we try to take Reid down without killing him. If we can get him to turn on Fariq, we might be able to get him put into some kind of witness protection program and at least save his life.”

“I think that would be easier on Finn. She’s trying to put on a brave face, but it’s got to be eating at her. Go get Zara.”

“I will. Take care of Finn.”

Noah rang off. With Springer dead, Reid would have redeemed himself in Fariq’s eyes, but Fariq wasn’t going to want a fight with the firm. Maybe they could use that to their advantage. If he could get Zara to agree to back off, and Fariq knew the information was no longer a threat, he would call off the contract and shut Reid down. Then if they could get Reid, they’d have a whole new ball game—one that would keep Zara and Finn safe and break the back of Fariq’s organization.