Page 105 of Malicious Claim

His jaw set.

"It doesn't matter."

"It does if I say it does."

His cheek muscle twitches.

For one moment, we didn't speak. Then, finally, he exhaled.

"When we got there," he said deliberately, "I immediately knew the place hadn't been empty for long."

I pushed forward. "Is that so?"

Dragon's eyes narrowed. "The light was out, but the bulb was hot when I felt it. Someone had recently flipped the switch off. There was a dent in the couch, someone had sat there, but not long enough for the couch to regain its fluffiness. A half smoked, recently smoked, cigarette was in the ashtray. Inside smelled of sweat, of lasagna."

I chewed his words slowly.

"So you just missed him," I breathed.

Dragon nodded slowly. "And then I heard the sound of a car."

My eyes widened with disbelief. "What car? You didn't mention this earlier."

He breathed through his nose. "As I was making my rounds, I heard the sound of a car starting up. A car backing away, in a rush. By the time I made it down to the street, all I could see was taillights disappearing down the block."

"Did you get a license plate?"

"Half of it." His jaw set. "Not enough to do a full trace."

I let that hang for a second.

"You didn't think to mention this to me before?"

"I was afraid you'd think I've failed you."

I tilted my head, watching him. "You did fail me, Dragon."

His face turned sad, but he didn't say a word.

I tapped my finger on the desk. "Get that car. Get a handle on who was driving it." My voice was even, but firm. "And Dragon—"

He lifted his eyes.

"Why didn't you chase after the car?"

"I hesitated." I could tell he was holding his breath.

"Don't make the mistake of hesitating again."

He breathed. "Understood."

With that, he turned and left the office. I glanced back at the photo once more, and shoved it aside.

Someone had tipped Dimitri off. And if it so happened to be in my inner circle. They won't be breathing soon.

I plowed through the rest of the day working. Sorting deals over the phone. Scanning documents and reading papers submitted to me for signatures.

Evening caught up with me before I was done and I sent for Leila.

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