Page 97 of Shadow

Lance whistled and pulled a phone out of his back pocket. “You should see this then.”

Ripley took the phone and read the contents of the screen. “Fiona dated him? How? We could wind up fired or worse if we sleep with marks. And how do you know that name?”

Lance smiled. “When Samuel was in the game, he used me as a pseudo-handler. I monitored him. Because of my work on some government software, I’ve got pretty high security clearance, so he could get away with it. Brian’s name came up a few times.”

Ripley dragged a hand through his hair. “What are you insinuating here?”

“Just that Fiona is impressionable, and Brian has a lot of power now. In the aftermath of you taking down Corbit Upwood, he made some noise about all of it being a set up. Now I’m looking for connections between Upwood and Brian that might show they were working together. So far all I know is that Brian is very actively assisting Upwood with his appeal.”

Ripley passed the phone back to Lance. “Impressive work, Moss. I don’t dwell on a mission after my part in it is over. And as soon as everything went down at The Doll House, I went under to chase after the other half of that trafficking ring, so I didn’t hear any of that chatter about it being a set up.”

Lance put a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll let you know when I’ve got more.”

His gaze moved to the suspension frame in the corner where Marissa was still showing Olivia some self-suspension techniques.

They seemed to be taken with each other.

“I’m glad you two showed up today. Olivia admires your wife.”

Lance nodded and gave him a lopsided smile. “It seems Riss is a big fan of Olivia. How do you feel about that?”

Ripley let his gaze wander back to the women. “I feel like I enjoy seeing Olivia happy and turned on.”

“Same way I feel about Marissa. As long as she doesn’t forget who she belongs to.”

Ripley clapped Lance on the back. “Somehow, I don’t think you have to worry about that. Even if she is a switchy brat.”

Lance laughed. “That’s exactly what she is, and I understood that going in. She doesn’t get enough opportunities to switch, though. What about Olivia?”

Ripley laughed. “She’s not a switch. At least not that I’m aware of. Just a brat.”

Lance smirked. “Explains why they’re having a good time, then.”

Peter and Carrie approached before Ripley could respond, and Carrie stood in front of him, jabbing a finger at a spot on her shoulder.

“You did that.”

A bright red circular welt was right in the center, and he laughed. “Don’t be pissed because I’m better with a Nerf gun than you are.”

“I told you he wouldn’t feel sorry for you, little one. I’m surprised he didn’t thump you right where it hurts.”

Ripley chuckled. “I would have if it were Olivia, but Carrie isn’t mine to thump.”

Peter shrugged. “I don’t know... you are kind of responsible for us getting together. I think that earns you some privileges.”

Carrie scowled and stepped out of Ripley’s reach only to have Peter reach out and thump the welt with his index finger.

“Meanie.”

Turning her back to her husband, she faced Ripley again. “What are you two doing over here?”

“Lance was catching me up on the background Peter had him running on Fiona. And now we’re watching our girls have a good time.”

Carrie followed his gaze and smiled. “They’re cute. Makes me sad Darci couldn’t be here.”

Peter pulled up another chair and sat, pulling Carrie down into his lap. “Lance, I missed you and Marissa coming in. What brings you to town? It wasn’t just to play Nerf guns and D&D.”

Lance grimaced and shook his head. “No, I wish. I’m handling some business with Samuel.”

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