Page 77 of Mile High Baby

That was it? Something was up. Why wasn’t he asking for Henry to back off his investigations and publishing news on him?

“I don’t know where they are.”

“I don’t believe that, but even if it’s true, you can find them, right?”

I had to play this like all this was just another job. “Sure. For a price.”

He paused, and I imagined he was trying to figure out what, if any, game I was playing. “Fine.”

“How about I come over and we can negotiate the work?”

“How about you find them first?”

“You know it doesn’t work like that.” I was careful not to use his name. As it was, I could feel Henry’s eyes boring into my back. “I need a picture of the nitwit and information about when he was last seen. Same with the wife. Then I’ll know the scope of the job and can quote you a price.”

He paused again. “How do I know you’re not fucking with me?”

“You don’t. But why would I do that? Or if you don’t trust me, call someone else.”

“Two hours.” He hung up the phone.

I held the phone up to my ear to give me a moment before talking to Henry. I had to be careful about what I told him.

“Are you taking a job when you need to find Tori?” he snapped at me.

“No.” I pushed the group text and sent Dax a message to let him know we needed to meet to discuss this current situation with Pitney.

“Dammit, Alex.”

I shoved my phone in my pocket. Turning, I put my hand on Henry’s shoulder. “Do you trust me?”

“Yes. Absolutely.”

“Then trust me on this. If all goes well, Victoria will be home in just over two hours.” I patted his shoulder and then strode out of the room to the front door.

“What? How?” Henry called after me.

“I’ve got to get to work.”

Two hours and a plan later,I strode into George Pitney’s home. His butler-slash-goon led me to an office near the back of the house. I scanned the room, noting a door at the rear that our infrared scan of the home suggested was where Victoria was being kept. My nerves sizzled to think she was just feet away.

“Want a drink?” Pitney said by greeting. He sat at his desk looking like the king of the world. He was the epitome of smarm and asshole. He looked normal for an asshole, but I watched for signs that he was losing it, becoming irrational, as I’d heard.

“Nope. What’s the job, George?”

He smirked as he sipped his expensive booze. “I have to say, I was surprised to find you working for Banion. You always struck me as someone who was repulsed by goody-two-shoes.”

I shrugged.

“But then I learned that you and he were old college buddies. I know you have a history with him. Does he know about your history with me?"

“What business is it of his?” I was okay with his going off on a tangent. My job was to keep him occupied, his attention away from the room next door.

“Does he know you’re here? I know you’re working for him.”

“He knows what he needs to know. If you know he hired me and you have his daughter, what’s all this bullshit about finding your niece?”

“I just want to know where your loyalties are.”