Empire of Lies

“It’s better to hurt certain people before they can hurt someone else,” I said. “I’m sure you wish I’d been able to hurt all of the people who hurt us years ago, don’t you?”

Silence.

“I fucking thought so,” I said. “Send me the next one when you’re done being emotional, so I can get the studying done.”

“Fine.” He let out a breath. “I’m over it. Is the scene clear?”

“Crystal.”

“Any prints or hairs you could’ve left behind?”

“None at all.”

“I’ll send you the next one this evening, then. It’s an easy one, super simple.”

“Wait,” I said, before he could end the call. “Walk me through the Thatchwood job.”

“Again? Seriously? Do I need to write it down for you?”

“That actually might help.”

“For the umpteenth time this week…” He let out a loud sigh. “Get rid of her and dispose of the body within the next few weeks. Since you seem to be struggling with some ideas, here are a few you’ve done successfully before: Blunt force trauma to the head and weigh her body down with sandbags, so that if she ever were to wash ashore the Hudson someday, the autopsy will confirm she died before she was drowned.”

I tapped my fingers against my steering wheel.

“Kidnap her in the middle of the night and shoot her execution style,” he said, calmly as ever. “Place her body in the trunk of an old car no one will miss and lower it into that lake no one knows about. Or my favorite specialty from you, indirect. Kill her in her sleep with carbon monoxide or something she’s allergic to. Have I explained this clearly enough?”

“Yes.”

“Good. The quicker you finish her off, the quicker we can move on to the Penelope job. I’ve got your new passport with me. It’s under Tyler Mason.”

“Noted.”

“Can you guarantee to finish this Thatchwood thing within the next few weeks, or do I need to contract it out?”

“No need to get anyone else involved.” I realized that Meredith was now calling me on my other phone. “I’ll do it.”