Page 117 of The Thief
"Or it could be someone very high up," Stephen adds. "Someone with access to everything."
The room goes quiet. We're all thinking the same thing, but nobody wants to say it out loud.
"We need to narrow down the possibilities," I say finally. "Who had access to information about the safe house where Alastríona was staying?"
I watch Maverick as he thinks. "Too many people," Maverick says, consulting his notes. "Henry, you, me, Stephen, Emmanuel, Jason, not to mention many of our men and the Gallaghers."
"And who knew about Sullivan?"
"Same people."
"We need to narrow it down," I say through gritted teeth.
"We're also in that group of people," Stephen points out. "For all we know, one of us is the leak."
The accusation hangs in the air like smoke. Four men who've bled together, fought together, trusted each other with their lives. And one of us might be a traitor.
"There's something else," Maverick says. "Lorenzo's people have been tracking Trace's financial activities. Multiple shell corporations, offshore accounts, and property rentals across Ireland."
"Where?"
"Everywhere. Dublin, Cork, Belfast. He's got bolt-holes all over the country."
"Any recent activity?"
"One property in particular. Leased three weeks ago through a shell company, paid for in cash. Remote location, perfect for hiding."
"Address?"
Maverick slides a piece of paper across the table. "County Wicklow. Middle of nowhere, no neighbors for miles."
I study the address, memorize it. "What's the plan?"
"Reconnaissance first. See what we can learn about his operation, his resources, his next moves."
"And then?"
"Then we end this. Permanently."
Maverick's phone rings. He lifts it up so we can see who's calling. Lorenzo's name is on the screen.
"Yeah?"
"Maverick, whoever gave Trace that information also told him about the information I've given you. He's moved on. Location's been compromised."
"Shit."
"But we've got a new lead. Financial records show another property, purchased yesterday. Same shell company, same payment method."
"Where?"
"I'll text you the details. But, Maverick, be careful. Whoever's feeding information to Trace, they're close to you. Close enough to know your every move."
The line goes dead. A moment later, his phone chimes with a text containing an address.
"New location," Mav tells us, showing them the message. Kildare. "But Lorenzo thinks our leak knows about this, too."
"Then we move fast," Stephen says. "Get there before Trace realizes we're coming."
