“What?” she squawked.
Once I explained the convoluted situation to her, I requested, “Can you get some hair off her brush? I’ll overnight some of mine to you so we can compare for familial markers?”
“Of course. Whatever you need.”
“Mostly I just need you to both stay safe until I know which way is up. Can you do that for me, Alessa?”
“I can. Anything to keep Kati safe.”
“Thanks, Alessa. Next time I call, I hope I have more answers.”
“Me too, Star. Please take care of yourself. Not just for Kati, but for all of us.”
There was that ache again.
It was different than the heartburn Conor gave me, but it was no less strong.
There was no time to wonder whether I was suffering from cardiac issues—Conor and I had to make our way to London, and we had to pick up a certain assassin before we headed out.
43
TEXT CHAT
Conor:How did it go yesterday?
Aidan:The Summit?
Conor:No, Aidan, your visit to the proctologist for a yearly physical. Fml. Of course the Summit.
Aidan:Jeez, you’re in a bad mood.
Conor:Lots going on.
Aidan:Always. Story of our fucking lives.
Conor:What went down?
Aidan:Sicilian Consigliere figured out that we’re behind the murders of those politicians.
Conor:Someone was bound to pick up on it eventually.
Aidan:She had a point—we don’t know who is in whose pocket. She suggested we confer to make sure we don’t lose a source.
Conor:I think we should put that plan on the back burner.
Aidan:What? Why?
Conor:Because I’m playing a bigger game over here, Aidan.
Aidan:What kind of game?
Conor:The Sparrows are fucked. Can’t go into details but I know we’re going to take them down. I want justice for Star and all those other victims first, then those who don’t get what they deserve, we deal with them.
Aidan:What’s going on, Conor? You were a key part of this plan.
Conor:I know, but by the time Star and I are done, there’s a more efficient way to go about this and we don’t have to get our hands unnecessarily dirty. The more dirt we accrue, the harder it is to look clean for Shay later on.
Conor:I need you to trust me, deartháir.