Page 101 of Precious Hazard

The mirrored wall and hundreds of liquor bottles above my head explode, unleashing a torrent of shards and liquid. I scream and cover my head with my arms.

Six hours earlier

“I made the discovery when I arrived.”

Taking off my sunglasses, I survey the scene of destruction before me. Even for a construction site, this place looks like an utter mess.

“Whoever hit us, did everything they could to not draw outside attention,” Nino continues. “The exterior wall is intact, and I don’t think there would have been much noise.”

“How bad is it?”

“Bad. The generator power cables were cut, and most of the heavy machinery has been disabled. Hydraulic lines, circuit boards, distribution panels. You name it, they sabotaged it. Computers and other electronics in the site office were smashed to smithereens.”

“Why didn’t anyone report it sooner?”

“It’s Sunday. The site has been shut down since about six on Friday night. We did have guards on duty. Both are dead.”

I step over an electrical conduit that runs from the trailer serving as a mobile office. The container is located near the gateway, but well beyond the perimeter wall that’s blocking access to the construction site. There’s no sign of forced entry, and the door is unlocked. The smell of blood and stale food hits me as soon as I step inside the small space. The bodies of two security guards lie in puddles of blood. Both men have gaping holes in the middle of their foreheads. The message is clear. This was an execution-style hit. A bag from a local fast-food joint has been discarded a few feet over the threshold. Its contents are spilled across the floor, which explains the odor. The attacker likely gained entry by pretending to be a delivery guy.

“The shift changes at seven.” Nino nods at the dead men. “If I didn’t come today, we probably wouldn’t have known about this until tonight.”

“It’s not a coincidence they picked the day the site is shut down. Killing our guys wasn’t what they were after, but something else obviously was. This feels too precise, maybe even enough to require an insider’s help. Any new hires?”

“I’ll check.”

“Do that. And send me the names.” I approach a small conference table in the center of the trailer, glancing at the playing cards and a pile of chips scattered across its surface. “There were only two guards?”

“Yeah. I think so.”

“There are three stacks of cards here, not two. So, who was the third player?” My eyes scan the room. There are boxes and filing cabinets crammed anywhere they’ll fit. Extra chairs. A couple of desks with smashed computers and overturned phones. No third body. In the far corner, almost hidden by a fake ficus tree with aMake Shit Happensign hanging off its branches, is a narrow door leading to the bathroom. “Have you checked in there?”

“No.” Nino steps over one of the dead men’s legs and opens the door. “Fuck.”

“What you got?”

“Shot in the gut. Looks like— Arturo! He’s got a pulse.”

I reach into my jacket. “I’m calling Ilaria.”

***

“Mr. DeVille?” Tony’s eyes bug out at me at the sight of blood stains on my sleeves and shirt front. “Are you alright?”

“Peachy keen.” I throw him the car keys. “Thanks for loaning me your car. It will need extensive detailing, especially the back seat. It’s a bit of a mess. Have them put it on my account.”

“Uh, sure. Oh! Your vehicle’s back with new tires!” he calls after me.

I smile. My sweet little wife must be pretty disappointed about that.

As I step inside, the house seems unnaturally quiet. Other than the sounds Greta usually makes when she does the chores, it’s been like that ever since Sienna moved out. Until this became Tara’s home, too, that is.

I pause at the foot of the stairs, listening. No drill noises. None of the background music she likes to have on when she reads her smutty novels. Nothing. Not a peep. Maybe she’s taking a nap? Even as that question rises in my mind, somehow I just know my wife isn’t here. It’s like the charge in the air is different. The house suddenly seems… numb. And I find myself missing the chaotic vibe that always surrounds her.

She must have already gone over to Drago’s for dinner. My sister all but demanded our presence tonight.Family dinner. The four of us. Get here as soon as possible.She’s such a little brat.

I grab my phone and hit Tara’s number. The line rings once and then disconnects. Hopefully, she’s just complaining to Sienna about how much it sucks to live with me or to deal with her “babysitters,” as she calls the security guys I’ve assigned to her. But even if the two of them are making voodoo dolls or throwing darts at a picture of my face, I don’t really care. I’m just thankful Tara understands we’re on high alert and didn’t fight me too much about having a protective detail.

Today’s incident has me even more on edge, and I’d rather my wife were safe and sound at home right now. Do I wish she had waited for me instead of heading to her brother’s on her own? Hell yeah, I do. I guess I’ll just have to go fetch her as soon as I clean up. Unbuttoning my shirt along the way, I head up the stairs.

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