The Fall of East: Book 3 in the Hear No Evil Trilogy by Malone, Nana (ebook reader with internet browser .txt) 📗

"Funny you should ask. I do have some information for you. And I'm more than willing to share it with you, but I want to remind you of our deal first."

"Yes, yes, I promise, I will turn myself in."

"That's not exactly our deal. Our deal is I'm going to be the one to arrest you."

He grinned. "And how do you think you're going to do that unless I turn myself in?"

I actually hadn't thought about it. In my mind's eye, I’d pictured myself slapping cuffs on him, but how we got there was, well… unclear. I think there was a part of me that knew that he would attempt to run, to somehow finagle out of our deal.

What makes you think that there's honor amongst thieves?

"Oh relax, Agent Kincade. I'm not running, am I? Now, tell me what you know of Henry Warlow."

"Keep in mind we still have things to prove."

He waved me off. "I'm growing impatient, Agent Kincade."

I lifted a brow, folded my arms, and then waited, much like my previous schoolteachers had done when they would enter a room and we were all jabbering away. I stared him down.

He stared back. Finally, he chuckled softly and relented. "I'm sorry. I've just been looking for Henry Warlow for a long time."

I shook my head slightly. "See, that's the thing. I think you've known all along where Henry Warlow was."

He grinned. "Why would you say that?"

"For now, let’s call it a hunch. But before I tell you what I know, I need to ask you one thing; why, did you need us? You're certainly powerful enough that you could have found someone else to get you the confirmation you needed. Why me? Even better, why East?"

"Ah, the incomparable Mr. Hale. He's far less interesting to me than you are. Tell me, did you open that box I gave you?"

I swallowed hard. "Yes, and we'll get into the Leah Braddock bits of it all in a moment. Just tell me, why me?"

"Why not you? You were one of Interpol's best and brightest, a rising star, and let's face it, you're the daughter of Roger Kincade. And I have an ax to grind with him."

"My father is the only reason you selected me?"

He lifted a brow, his gaze steady but quizzical, as if he was waiting for me to say something or to ask something else. But I didn't. "Yes, who your father is heavily factored in my decision to select you. We had a score to settle. I can't do this forever, and if he's the same man I knew years ago, he won't have given you your due. So when I saw an opportunity to get payback on two men who ruined my life, I thought it would be excellent."

"And I won't be part of your revenge scheme?"

"Like it or not, you already are."

He had a point there. "Fair enough. We found evidence that Henry Warlow is Lord Walter Jameson. There was a boating accident thirty years ago, and he took over Lord Jameson's life after changing his appearance with extensive plastic surgery."

I waited for a reaction, but there wasn't one. He looked like he had expected all of this. "And what of Leah Braddock?"

"There's no record of her. We show her passport stamped leaving the UK, but we have nothing about her entering the States as she’d planned. Our best guess is that during her connection, someone met her at the airport with a passport and new visa. A new name, new identity, and full access to go anywhere in the world she wanted."

He sighed. "Almost there."

"What does that mean?"

"It means you've almost figured out what I want you to figure out."

My brow furrowed. "Theroux, I'm not interested in any more of your games."

"Oh, I know. But you'll still play, won't you?"

"Are you giving me a choice?"

He chuckled. "No, not really. Okay, so Lord Walter Jameson. That certainly makes sense and tracks with what I've been following."

"Okay, if you've already been tracking this, why did you need us?"

"Well, one might have their suspicions, but one must always have confirmation."

"Fine. Whatever. Another question for you. Do you know a Krista Wilson?"

His brow snapped down. "Mark Wilson's sister. Him and his crew were a nasty bunch. Isn't he serving a stretch?"

I nodded. "That he is. His sister, however, has proven to be a thorn in our side. She made an attempt… Well, East thinks it was an attempt to kidnap me, but I cannot confirm or deny that."

Theroux's brows rose. "She attempted to kidnap you?"

I shrugged. "She ingratiated herself with me and my friends. Even got herself engaged to my ex-fiancé while posing as a graduate student."

"Ah, she's smart, that one. What better way to find out if Interpol is after you than to put yourself in the middle of Interpol? Stay away from her if you can."

I lifted a brow. "You almost sound concerned, Theroux."

He chuckled low. "Let's call it professional courtesy, not exactly concern. Because after all, why would a thief be concerned about the Interpol agent determined to put him away?"

“What do you know about Krista Wilson?”

“Why, does she say she knows me?"

I shook my head. "No. But she's been a thorn in our side for too damn long. Her style is similar to yours. But she’s far more lethal."

His brows furrowed. "I take it Mr. Hale has your security well in hand?"

I narrowed my gaze at him and realized his brows were furrowed and there were fine lines around his mouth. Oh yes, he was still as handsome as ever. But somehow in this moment he looked… angry? He certainly looked older. And there was some kind of emotion in his eyes. I didn't know him well enough to really identify what it was, but he didn't look pleased. "Yes, my security is well in hand, as evidenced by all the people on this floor of the hotel."

He nodded.