Page 72 of Lawbreaker

The senator’s breath left him in a rush. That was totally unexpected.

“Call off your dogs,” James told him coldly. “Or else.”

The senator didn’t have a comeback. He didn’t speak. He just turned and walked out of the room.

James smiled to himself. It was very important to have something on as many people as possible. He’d learned that from a former boss who’d been in Justice for many years. Everybody smart had backup information that could hurt somebody important. If you were ever up against the wall, it would save you.

He’d be all right now. But there was one loose cannon he still had a grudge against. Tanner Everett. He’d tried to off the guy, even sacrificed two agents to do it, and had failed. Everett’s wife was pregnant, but she was untouchable. Damned Tony Garza had her covered like tar paper with some of the most dangerous mob guys James had ever heard of. Everett’s people were on a ranch that was crawling with ex-feds and mercs. No way he could get to them.

He groaned. He wanted to make Everett pay for the hell he’d been through. He was out of danger now and ready for some major payback. He had to find somebody that Everett cared about, a family member, somebody close, so he could pay the man back for all his misery. That it was a result of his own behavior was something he’d never consider. He didn’t make mistakes—other people did. He was important, and ruthless, and ready for some payback.

While he was thinking about vengeance, his cell phone rang. He answered it, smiling when he saw the number. “Hey,” he said softly. “How’s things?”

“Okay,” his son said lazily. “I found a new hangout. There’s this bar near school. Some really cool guys come in, and they’re good at pool. One of them’s teaching me and Ralphie.”

“Not bad guys...?”

“Oh, for God’s sake, Dad, I know how to spot gangsters,” he laughed. “No, these are blue-collar guys. One’s a plumber, one’s an electrician. They work together. They come in after work to blow off steam. They’re cool.”

Blue-collar. He didn’t like his son associating with the wrong people. He almost said so, but he didn’t want to start a fight. He and his son weren’t as close as he’d like, and he was reluctant to alienate him. He’d always given in, given the kid anything he wanted, to try and make up for losing his mom when he was little. He still gave him anything he wanted. The boy was his whole heart—in fact, the only weakness he had. Fortunately, none of his enemies knew about the kid; he’d kept him in a famous school up north, out of DC. He didn’t even have his last name. Well, that was because he’d changed his last name just after the Iraq thing. It was providential right now, too, because it gave the kid an extra layer of protection.

He laughed. “Okay, then. You just watch your back, okay?”

“Sure, Dad. Hey, can you wire me a few bucks? I’m running short again. And I guess I’ll have to repeat remedial algebra...”

“What, again?”

“Well, the professor didn’t like me,” the kid said icily.

James sighed. “Okay, sorry, sorry. Sure, I’ll wire some money to your bank. And it’s okay about the algebra. Some people have trouble with math.”

“Sure. I’ll talk to you later, then. Bye.”

“You not coming home for the weekend?” he asked quickly.

“It’s not a good time,” the boy said hesitantly. “Besides, I’m getting good at pool, and they have competitions at the bar...”

James nodded to himself. “Well, have a good weekend, then.”

“Yeah. Bye.”

He hung up. Sometimes, he felt the kid only liked him for money. Certainly the boy wasn’t as fond of him as he was of his son. But that was life. He went back to his desk.

11

After lunch, Ben drove Tony and Odalie to the Italian restaurant owned by Tony’s cousin. There were tables outside because it was a glorious fall day, with the first golden and red tinges appearing on the maples on both sides of the quiet street, and leaves dancing on the pavement in the chilly wind.

Tony ordered dessert and vanilla cappuccinos, because he knew that Odalie loved it. So did he. Ben just ordered black coffee.

They were halfway through dessert when a tall, attractive man with an olive complexion and dark hair and eyes joined them and sat down at the table.

Tony chuckled. “You slumming?” he asked.

The other man grinned. “I have a weakness for espresso,” he said. “But latte isn’t bad. Your cousin makes a good cup of coffee.”

“I think so, too.” He glanced at Odalie and smiled tenderly. “This is Dane Hunter,” he told her. “An old...acquaintance,” he said, choosing his words.

“Cough...the heat...cough,” Ben joked.