Read Online Monroe, Melody S. - Verdict (Siren Publishing Classic) by Melody S. Monroe - Free Book Online Page A

could mean a team of assassins was at work. “Who was it? I know Taylor will want to know.” Given she spent close to a year on the case, she’d gotten to know the jurors, even if recalling them took her a minute.
    “Travis Simmons.”
    His hand shook at the ramification. “Thanks.” He’d been about to hang up, when Richard called his name. “Yeah?”
    “I’ve never seen anything like this. I put two people in a safe house and now both are dead. I don’t know what to do.” The man sounded sincerely distraught.
    Stone wanted to say, find the mole , but wasn’t sure he’d be wise to voice his opinion over the phone. “You’ll find a way to stop this guy.”
    “I hope. I’ll call you when I have an exact address for the new place to stay.”

    * * * *

    Richard Thomason had just hung up with Stone when his cell rang. Thinking it might be Watson again, he answered without checking the caller ID. “Yes?”
    “Where’s the girl?”
    His insides shot to liquid. He recognized the blackmailer’s distorted voice. He never should have given the bastard his cell phone number, but he’d figured his personal cell couldn’t be traced. “I don’t know.”
    “You’re the head of the goddamn relocation program. If you don’t know, who does?”
    Richard stepped past his secretary into his office, closed his door and lowered the shades. He could smell his own sweat. Despite the room’s good insulation, he lowered his voice. “They were in Florida, but someone burned down their town house.”
    “I know. I ordered the place to be torched. When my men came to check on her charred body, she wasn’t there. Where did she go?”
    Sweat pooled under his arms, and he loosened his tie. “I called Watson a few hours ago, but he didn’t answer.” Could the guy hear the way his voice wobbled?
    “That the FBI guy with her?”
    “Yes.” Shit. He shouldn’t have mentioned Stone’s name. He liked the guy, but not so much as to jeopardize his own wife’s well-being.
    Loud music blasted the background. The man must have covered the mouthpiece and yelled something in some foreign language. The annoying music stopped.
    “Sorry about that. This attorney woman, she’s a slippery one.”
    “What do you want from me? I told you where to find all the other jurors. As promised.” His guilty conscience ate away at him. If he held on, his family would be safe.
    “I want you to find the bitch and tell me where she is.”
    “I’ve done enough for you.”
    The man laughed. “Then I guess you won’t mind when your two pretty little girls and wife disappear for good.”
    His chin trembled as rage filled his gut. “If you lay a hand on my family—”
    “You’ll what? Come after me yourself? Ha. I know you can’t bring your FBI buddies with you because that would mean you’d have to tell them you were the one who got six of the jurors killed. And I’m not finished. Find the woman.” He hung up.
    Richard reached for his chair and slid down onto his seat. Tears streamed down his cheeks. He’d put his wife and children in jeopardy. He’d borrowed so much money to give Kathleen a second chance at life, and now he might lose the one woman he loved. How could he have known the man who loaned him money was connected to this loan shark?

    * * * *

    The smell of heat and grease from the fast food place didn’t help calm Stone’s stomach, but at this early hour, his options for a hamburger were limited. He placed his order, then checked back with the hospital to make sure Susan was okay. He didn’t trust anyone any more. Not the hospital, not the FBI. Hell, he barely trusted himself to keep her safe.
    Once they assured him no one had entered her room, he stepped away from the counter and dialed T-Squared. His gut churned knowing he’d have to break the news to Susan about Travis Simmons’ death. She’d be devastated on more than one level.
    “Joe’s Bar and Grill.” His friend used the code they’d established.
    “Thank