Faceless (Sinister Secrets Book 2), Candle Sutton [dar e dil novel online reading txt] 📗

A rock lodged in his throat. He swallowed and searched for words.

He wanted to say yes, but not even he believed that.

Tio was right. He’d brought this on them.

“Not so cranky now, are you?”

No, he wasn’t cranky. Angry with himself, sure, but not cranky.

Unlike Tio, who sounded hot enough to spit fire.

“Where are you?” He was a little surprised Tio wasn’t here, overseeing things personally.

“Cleaning up at my other venture.”

Other venture. The one Mitch tried not to spend too much time considering. “You think it’s compromised?”

“I think we can’t take the chance.” Tio huffed. “It’s inconvenient and is costing me money, but it’s better than getting caught.”

“Where are we going?”

Tio paused. “Still undetermined. I’m thinking maybe Cabo.”

“Mexico?”

“No. Alaska.” Tio snorted. “Of course, Mexico.”

The room seemed to shrink around him. “Why?”

“Less interest from the local authorities. Plus, it’s a nice climate. I think Aimee and the kids would like it down there.”

Like Tio made any business decisions based upon his longtime girlfriend and their kids.

Still, if he wanted to think it was about them, fine. “Don’t I have a say in this?”

“Did I have a say when you talked to your FBI daughter?”

“That was personal!” Even as he protested, he knew this was an argument he wouldn’t win.

“Yeah. And how did that work out for us?” Tio blew out a breath. “Look, I’ve got a lot to do here. Wrap things up there. Anything not packed today gets left behind, so I’d suggest you get to work on the stuff that matters.”

Tio ended the call before he could say anything else.

Mitch looked around the office he’d worked out of on and off for years.

Hard to believe it was the end of an era.

He opened the secret panel in the wall and accessed the drawers in the filing cabinet hidden behind.

Well, at least moving out of state would be one way to cut Kevyn out of his life.

It was for the best.

He pulled out all the files and stacked them on his desk. Some would be shredded. Some he’d need to pack up.

A buzzer echoed down the hallway outside his office.

The door.

Someone else could get the door. He had too much to do.

The first file went into his shred pile. As did the second.

The next one was a keeper. He set it aside.

The buzzer sounded again. Longer this time.

He tossed another file on the shred pile and whirled toward the door. Fine. He was the closest one to the door and most of the guys were packing up the warehouse.

Whoever was at the door, he’d deal with them himself.

₪   ₪   ₪

At least he’d dressed casually today.

Dak pushed the buzzer beside the warehouse door, trying his best to look like anything but an FBI agent.

Obviously Mitch would know the truth, but he was hoping whoever answered the door wouldn’t.

Surveillance hadn’t seen Mitch leave the warehouse, so he should still be here.

Seconds dragged into a minute.

He pushed the buzzer again, holding it a little longer this time.

If Mitch and whoever else was in there thought he was going to go away, they were crazy. He’d lean on this buzzer indefinitely if he had to.

A few more seconds passed before the door swung open.

Dak blinked. Mitch Taylor stood in front of him, looking even more surprised to see him than he was to see Mitch.

Guess he wouldn’t need to try to talk his way in after all.

The red drained from Mitch’s flushed cheeks and he glanced behind him briefly before stepping outside and closing the door firmly behind him. “What do you want?”

“Kevyn’s missing.” No faster way to get someone’s attention than to go straight to the point.

Mitch’s eyes bulged. “What? You sure?”

“Yes. She disappeared last night. While I was talking to you.” Maybe if he’d been here to back her up, none of this would have happened.

“Well, clearly I don’t know anything about it then.” Mitch didn’t sound convinced.

“Funny thing about that.” Pulling out his phone, Dak brought up the picture Kevyn had sent. “This is the last thing I received from her. It was taken right over there.”

Mitch’s gaze followed his pointing finger. The older man’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “Sounds like, uh, coincidence.”

“You recognize this man?” Dak shoved his phone toward Mitch.

Mitch focused on the screen. His jaw worked and his eyes hardened. “No. You think I know everyone on these docks?”

His face had told Dak all he needed to know.

Liar. Not only did Mitch recognize the man, he could identify him.

“Not everyone.” Dak never removed his eyes from Mitch’s face. “But probably a man that exited this building.”

Mitch clamped his lips together. “Can’t help you.”

“Can’t? Or won’t?” Dak dropped his voice and leaned in slightly. “Your daughter’s life is on the line here! Don’t you care?”

“Of course I care!” Mitch huffed through his nose. “I don’t know what happened to her.”

Dak shoved the phone closer. “This man does. And I think you know who he is and where to find him.”

“I don’t know anything. I’ve got work to do.” Mitch pulled back and narrowed his eyes on Dak. “And so do you. Find her.”

Mitch turned, inserted a key into the door, and let himself inside.

The lock clicked behind him.

While he hadn’t gotten the answers he’d wanted, he hadn’t honestly expected to. What he had accomplished however, was alerting Mitch to the situation. If they watched Mitch long enough, and didn’t lose him somewhere, Mitch might lead them straight to the man in the picture.

And, hopefully, to Kevyn.

Twenty

Lunch time. Finally.

Mitch shoved the box underneath the desk and joined the cluster of guys heading out for lunch.

The