Page 86 of Maddox

The man was like a wolf in the wild, determined to protect what belonged to him. His eyes were darker than before and his jaw clenched tightly together. With the short beard he sported, tonight he appeared even more dangerous than normal.

“Well, kids. Patience is a virtue after all. You have yourself either a blackmail list or simply one used to keep track of clients.”

I pushed away from Maddox, peering over Damon’s shoulder. The list was extensive with names, addresses, and dollars.

“What about a direct connection. Can you tell who supplied the list and what it’s for?” I was suddenly eager.

Damon’s fingers flew as he shifted through several files. “The encryption is unique. I doubt I can gain all the information off the drive, but here’s another list. The names appear coded, but my guess is they can be broken fairly easily. Let’s take a look at what else we have.”

We leaned in further as a second list flashed onto the screen. I shifted from one document to another that Damon had spread over two monitors. “What the hell?”

Maddox chuckled. “Chocolates. Cocaine. Prescriptions. A recipe for providing goods and services to people.”

“Laced with Mercury Fulminate,” I mused and eased back. “Whoever put this together was using a tracking sheet for customers throughout the world using the scientific breakthrough of lacing various products with the mercury. How did the man who gave this to me at the orphanage get his hands on this? He said I’d know what to do with it. Right now, I’m clueless.”

“The lists could appear to be used for elimination purposes. Plus, there would be minimal checks on chocolates coming into the country,” Damon added.

“Or for anyone picking up their usual prescriptions from their pharmacy. If these records are cross referenced with various data regarding any recent suspicious deaths, there’s proof they weren’t accidents or some random murder.” Maddox shifted away, pacing the floor. “Is there a list of the intended victims?”

Damon took a deep breath, searching the files once again. “If there is, I don’t see it. This is enough to potentially implicate Alfaro, but without knowing the intended victims, there’s no wayto prevent additional murders. Or to determine if anyone else is involved.”

“You’re right. It would be hard to convince the FBI that the people supposedly ordering the product are really on the take. However, either Alfaro or someone else is aware the information was stolen. That will create an even more dangerous scenario.” Sighing, I glanced at Maddox, his expression thoughtful.

Maddox nodded. “Someone wanted you to have the information because they knew you’d figure out a way to use the contents if only by writing a story. What concerns me the most is that someone wants you dead. Alfaro or one or more of his customers? Or an entire alliance? Alfaro would need more than one person to help him gain unlimited access to the country.”

The ugly realization should be traumatizing. Instead, I was eager to continue the pursuit. “We need to think this through to determine what we’re going to do. We need to figure out a way to cross reference and maybe see if we can narrow down the list of suspects to potential victims.” I wasn’t certain if my suggestion was worthwhile.

“A needle in a haystack,” Damon threw in as he grabbed his beer. “A dangerous one.”

“You’re not going to get involved,” Maddox insisted. “Your life is in danger, Charmaine. What happened tonight will happen again.”

“I can’t just do nothing. You know we’re sitting on a ticking timebomb.” I had a feeling my plea was falling on deaf ears.

Maddox turned toward me, cupping my face. The tender moment wasn’t lost on Damon, who shifted in his seat, even grumbling under his breath.

“That’s exactly what you need to do. Allow the process to work.”

I had a feeling he wasn’t being entirely truthful. “And do nothing.”

“And live your life. Turn over the information to the Feds.”

Why the hell was he suddenly changing his mind? I searched his eyes, trying to find some sense of reasoning other than that he was being protective. “I don’t understand.”

He inched closer. “I don’t want you killed, Charmaine. There’s no story that’s worth it. Go back to living your life. Report on the orphanages. Make a difference in their lives. That’s important to you.”

I sucked in my breath, attempting to control my temper. Something was off.

“Can you do that?” he asked, his tone more insistent.

“You’re asking me to ignore everything I stand for as a journalist.”

“I’m asking you to live.”

Damon cleared his throat. “Do you want me to leave?”

“Not necessary,” Maddox answered, his eyes imploring.

“I just don’t know if I can do that.”

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