Page 5 of Tell Me All Your Lies

Dodger drops the professional mask he’s wearing and dramatically sighs. I’m not sure if it’s out of annoyance or exhaustion.

“It’s dangerous out there with the Marlin on the loose. The Kingpin of Charlotte is one of many we need to catch. This is bigger than your pride.”

My head rears back as our walls come crumbling down. We haven’t spoken like this in years.

“It’s not pride; it’s my work style. And aren’t you the one who needsmyhelp?”

Dodger raises his eyebrows, and a hint of a smile appears at the corner of his lips.

“Always the lone ranger.”

“I work best alone.”

He closes his eyes for a moment before sitting upright. His walls are back up, and I’m once again talking to the director and not my former friend.

“You’ll take a partner, or I’ll ask someone else.”

He has me cornered, but I need this contract to fulfill my plans. I want to capture the Kingpin more than anything I’ve ever wanted from a contract.

I try to reason with myself about the idea of having a partner. I mean, really, how bad can a partner be? If anything, maybe it’ll be better for me to infiltrate the Kingpin’s domain if I have someone by my side in some capacity.

Wait. Wait a second…

“You have someone in mind.”

“I do. Someone who is an expert in the field too. And this contractor has direct ties to Charlotte and the Carolinas area, which can only help you. He’ll be an asset to your plans.”

“He?” I ask.

“Yes. I have an idea of what you’re thinking, and he will help you achieve your goal.”

I have no choice. I either forfeit my best chance at capturing the Kingpin or work with this partner.

“I’ll trust you.”

“Good.”

Dodger’s surprised I’m giving in so easily, but what choice do I have? I need this win badly.

“I’ll see you both in my office Wednesday at 0800 hours.”

I nod curtly.

“Wednesday, Collins.”

Dodger leaves the video call, and I’m feeling better than expected. I’m getting what I wanted out of this. Yes, I didn’t expect a partner, but I’ll take the lead, and everything will be just fine.

Twirling a pen in between my fingers, I start to think through how a partner can help my plans. Dodger might think he knows what my plans are, but there’s no way he can understand the details I’ve put into this.

Anything he or this partner comes up with won’t compare to what I have in store to capture the Marlin and bring down the Carolinas mafia.

“Ms. Collins?” Ruby’s intercom sounds through my office. Reaching over to my corresponding machine, I press the button to speak.

“Come in.”

Ruby enters a moment later and waits near the open doorway.

“We got it. I meet the director in two days,” I share.

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