Jared tensed. The darkened voice presaged bad news.
“I’m listening.”
“The covert security team just reported that they left the safehouse thirty minutes ago. Paxton and Knox are travelling on Route 80 toward the Oakland Bay Bridge while Jordan and Kezlin went to their offices in Oyster Point.”
“Tell the team to stay on them. Let me know their destination.”
“Frank tried to stop Paxton but she... er, well, she gave him a message for you.”
“Why am I not surprised? Well, spit it out,” Jared snapped irritably. She was sorely testing his patience.
“She told him to inform his commander that her team had voted to continue with their case. That she has full confidence in their ability to stay under Boneiro’s radar, especially since they were stuck with the Cobras as bodyguards who she had no doubt would be on their heels the entire time.”
“That does it. It’s time that kitty’s sharp claws get clipped.”
Chapter Six
The decision to leave the military had been an easy one after Rex’s death. At the time, Paxton didn't know what to do or in which direction to go. The pain and loss had been too raw to concentrate on anything other than staying strong and being there for Lucy. Eight years old at the time, it had been a massive blow for a little girl who had adored her father. Without him, she had become lost. It would take years to heal.
Jordan followed Paxton’s example after she had been wounded during a raid on a Taliban camp in Afghanistan. After eight years on active duty cheating death in a combat zone, the writing was on the wall. It was time to get out. She would resign her commission and be given an honorable discharge. She wanted a normal life, with all that it had to offer— to fall in love, get married and have a family.
Together, they had explored the possibilities of their future. Because of their military background, it had been a natural evolutionary decision to become private detectives— a profession where they could utilize their skills without the intensity of combat. Knox had joined them a year later and then Kezlin, two years ago.
For Paxton, being a private detective was as exciting as it was unpredictable. She found every job challenging, rewarding and some, a bit dangerous. The best part was the adventure and diversity that every case offered. Searching and finding the evidence to successfully complete a case was highly satisfying. The most rewarding aspect was going undercover to find the evidence and get the break they needed to crack a case.
“So, the action movie star, Bastian Conti’s wife, Hannah, is our new client.” Knox eased the Jeep to a stop at a red light.
“I guess their marriage isn’t all what it’s claimed to be. It’s common knowledge that he owns several properties all over California. Their main home is in Pacific Palisades and their vacation home is in Santa Monica. Where he keeps the others is a closely guarded secret.”
“So, what is Hannah Conti’s problem with the other two that she needs us to look into?”
“She only found out about them by chance recently although Bastian had purchased them years ago. She suspects that he set up a mistress in one of them but has no idea why he bought the other one. It’s been vacant for years.”
“Did she question him about it?” Knox pulled away as the light turned green.
“No, she wants confirmation of the affair first and intel on the second.”
“I assume attending a shindig in celebration of his latest movie on the roof of the Marriott Marquis Hotel is to see if one of his followers might be the assumed mistress?”
Paxton nodded. “Hannah Conti specifically went out of town to create an opportunity. I also want to find out which corporate connections, if any, he might have.”
Knox looked hard at Paxton. “You already have a theory?”
“I went through the intel Jordan gathered last night. Bastian has many alliances with high-powered business owners and bank CEO’s, not to mention the odd politician.”
“Yeah, but remember, other than being a movie star, he’s also a very savvy businessman. He still has a hand in commercial property development, even though his company, Bay Developers, is run by a friend named Jason Burrows.”
“Granted, but doesn’t it seem odd that the two acquired houses are both registered in Hannah Conti’s nameandthat she’s completely ignorant of it?”
“There is that.” Knox’s expression turned pensive.
“There’s something shady about it. For all we know, he used them as part of a shell company transaction. Have you been able to find out anything from the previous owners about the sale agreements?”
“Not yet. There hasn’t been time to dig deeper, especially since we’ve been holed up in a safehouse. Jordan is absolutely ropeable that she doesn’t have access to her computer equipment.”
Paxton smiled at her. “I know it’s frustrating but I had hoped you, of all people, would understand the necessity of giving in to Jared Bates’ insistence to keep us safe.”
“Believe me, we do but that doesn’t mean we have to like it.” Knox parked the car in the underground garage of the Marriott Marquis Hotel. “To be honest, it’s a relief. Jordan and I did some digging on the dark web into the Boneiro crime family. Marco and Luca Boneiro are ruthless. They’re the most feared by friend and foe out of the five Mafia families.” She smiled. “I can’t imagine the Commander is going to be happy when he finds out we flew the coop today.”