Page 69 of Ricochet

“He’s sweet and takes on too much responsibility.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“He doesn’t need to be mixed up in my business.”

Lenora slowly shook her head. “Bet he’d disagree, but it’s not my place to say.”

“What is then?”

“I have more for you than what’s in that bag.”

“A bus ticket to Florida?” Adeliateased quietly.

“How about a trip to the East Coast?”

“And go where? New York?” That sounded like an urban nightmare. “A million people would give me coverage, but I wouldn’t last long.”

Lenora snorted. “Why’s that?”

“Sometimes I’m not sure I like people, and that’s a whole lot of people.”

“You like people too much, and that’s a city full of people who don’t talk to each other. You’d be fine,but we’re not going there.”

“Then where are we doing?”

“The city with the worst port security and a history of fantastic profits for Mayhem.”

“Baltimore?”

“You’ve got it, kid.”

“Why?”

“Mayhem had a big order come through the other night. That’s why they were celebrating. Skull jamming. Food, drinks, the babes, the works.”

“It was a little more than normal,” Adelia agreed.

“Your north-eastguy came through again too.”

“Source of all my troubles.” She finished off her bagel and swiped a napkin from the wax paper. “What’s your point?”

“I don’t know why I didn’t notice this before. It took Silvio mentioning it.”

“Silvio?” Adelia repeated the name of the freight buyer Mayhem worked with to move gun shipments into the country from their overseas sellers. She only knew about him fromoverhearing conversations she wasn’t supposed to listen to over the years. “What about him?”

“He’s got family tied up in legal problems right now, and their primary concern is protecting their personal client list. Apparently, that’s more important than their own freedom.”

“They want you to be their lawyer?”

Lenora nodded.

“You’re always good to help out.” Adelia wondered how that would affectMayhem’s income but realized it didn’t matter anymore because her days of saving women were done. “I don’t know much about them.”

Lenora repositioned her purse and scooted closer. “Silvio knows every carrier and open cargo hold. He could find Mayhem space to get shipments on or off a boat with less time and paperwork than anyone. The guy is trusted. He’s sincere. And he’s also screwed up.”

“He has?”

“Maybe.”

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