Page 7 of Redemption

“Going to Praia, the capital, hasn’t helped speed anything along?”

“People talk. Everyone knows we’ve been throwing money around like we’re flush. A good strategy until it isn’t. Screwing us is shortsighted. The luxury resort and casino will bring a significant influx of tourist dollars to this island. Our negotiation with the government was very reasonable because we wanted in here so badly. It’s part of what’s so frustrating. Why is there so much foot dragging? Everyone benefits when the resort is done.”

“Okay.” I nod. “We’ll hold back on paying people, see what happens.” I check the clock by the front door. “What time is Evander arriving?”

He follows my gaze. “Should be any minute. At least that scheme seems to be ticking along.”

“As far as we know,” I amend.

Dominic pokes his head in the door. “Mr. Williams has arrived.”

“Let him in.” Jay stays in his seat.

Evander enters carrying a long cylinder. “Game plans.” He holds them up and comes to the coffee table. “A strategy is starting to take shape.” He taps out the prison blueprints, and once again, I’m impressed at his efficiency. The maps and architectural drawings are highlighted in various colors. The legend has them marked as Plan A, Plan B, Plan C.

I scan the pages. “Three plans?”

“Sort of. Each plan is a series of contingencies.” He points to the first place on the drawing where three lines branch off. “Plan A is the fastest, most efficient way to get Finn out of there. Plan B is if something in Plan A falls apart. Plan C is a last resort. There are several more risks in Plan C than in either A or B. At that point, we’ll just be trying to extract him alive.”

My stomach swoops low. I lace my hands together and press them against my nose. “That’s not comforting.”

“I’m not here to comfort you. I’m here to be honest with you about the risks. Seventy percent of the time when I formulate a plan, we never deviate from A because we strategize that sequence of events so meticulously.” His dark eyes meet my gaze. “We’ll get him out. The exit might be neat and pretty, but it might be messy and dangerous.”

“Do you have any idea of when?” Jay asks.

“A few more weeks. We’ve got the best route, now we need the best people in place. That might take some hiring and firing and shift changes to ensure we’re on the same page.”

“You can do that?” I’m doubtful.

His jaw tightens. Any time I second guess his abilities, he gets his back up. I suppose Finn would too. “Yes. That’s the easy part. Knowingwhoto put in there is the hard part.” He gestures to the papers. “Any questions?”

Jay leans over the pages, riffling through them, and I trace the different routes with my finger. He asks a few logistical clarifications, and I try to absorb as much of the information about where Finn is located as I can. I haven’t been to a visitation at the new place yet.

“So, he’s here?” My voice is rusty when I point to a squared-off cell on the page.

Evander shakes his head and points at a circled cell in another block. “This is where he is. I need to get him moved to this spot before go time. Tactically, this location gives us the three options. If he’s over here, it’s more complicated.”

“Moving him won’t be a problem?”

“They’re my problems, Carys, and I can handle them. If I didn’t think I could do something, I wouldn’t plan like I could.” His tone is snappy.

Jay slides me a glance. “I’d appreciate if you didn’t speak to her like she’s being ridiculous.”

Warmth spreads across my chest. He’s been my right-hand man for years, but since he spent so much time with Finn, he’s become more assertive when people are trying to walk over me. He told me, after Eric was dead, that he regretted not being more forceful with Eric when he was taking advantage of me. It’s been a rough few months, and I appreciate any support I can get.

Evander’s jaw tightens, but he meets my gaze. “My apologies. I didn’t want to be short with you. Occupational hazard.”

“Probably helps you get the job done,” I admit. “But you’re the only person I can get reassurance from that this is going to go as smoothly as it can. I’m paying a lot of money for your services, and I’m trying to respect your process. Doesn’t mean I won’t have questions, even if you deem those questions silly.”

He gives a curt nod. “Ask your questions,” he says. “I’ll take a deep breath before I answer.”

A smile tugs at my lips. Would Finn like him? Hard to say. Two rams, probably butting heads. “I appreciate that.”

He rubs his face. “All right, fire away. Whatever you want to know, I’ll tell you as much as I can, given this stage of planning.”

For the next hour, Jay and I pour over the different routes and ask logistical questions. At no point does he indicate he doesn’t have an answer, but sometimes he has more than one solution to a potential problem.

When he leaves, I meet Jay’s calculating stare. “What’d you think?”

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