Page 34 of Heart Stopping
We exchanged glances.
"Associates," I said at the same time as Archer said, "Friends."
Boner grinned. "Either way, we're doing this together, yeah? Taking out Granger Fairfield." His body was tense, poised like he was ready to head out the door and tear Fairfield apart right now.
"What we're not doing is running in half-cocked,” I said.
"I only ever do things full-cocked,” Boner said, dropping his gaze toward my pussy. "I'm sure you remember."
Archer gave me a look, his brow creased. "Three of us going in there might be overkill."
"It sounds like the perfect amount of kill to me," Boner said. "What else do you know about this asshole? For example, can you confirm he was involved in what happened to Harlow's sister? Or any other girl, for that matter? I don't go around killing indiscriminately."
Archer gave him a flat stare like he didn't believe that for a moment.
"Even if you do, I don't," I said. "Boner is right. We need to be absolutely sure we have the right person."
"Right," Archer agreed. "At this point, I only have what my contact told me. I searched Fairfield up.” Of course he did. "He stands to inherit his father's jewelry empire. On the surface, he's squeaky clean."
"In my experience," Boner said slowly, "the squeakier someone is on the outside, the dirtier they are on the inside. They always seem to be overcompensating, trying to cover up for their fucked up-ness."
"Studies have shown that the image someone presents has a profound impact on the way others react to them," Archer said. "These men were, and are, up-and-coming businessmen.They want to portray an air of success. They want to seem untouchable."
"All the better to get away with anything," I said bitterly.
"They aren't getting away with this," Boner said. "Three of them already haven't. The rest must be sweating in their knickers." He almost seemed to relish the idea.
To be honest, so did I. Had they wondered if the first three deaths were related? Did they know there was a possibility someone was coming for them?
If so, we had to be even more careful. I hated to admit it to myself, but it might take three of us to succeed. I didn't usually work in pairs or packs, but if it meant bringing down Granger Fairfield, then so be it.
"So, first thing, we need more information on this prick," I said slowly.
A thought slowly formed in my mind. I wanted to dismiss it, but it made too much sense.
"Men like these often keep incriminating things on their computers," I said reluctantly. "If we could hack into Fairfield's, we might find…"
I couldn't finish that sentence. We all knew what we might find. Images none of us wanted to look at. Things no one should see. If we found what I suspected we would, those girls deserved justice. Closure. I couldn't give them back their innocence, but I could give them this.
"Let me guess, you know a guy?" Boner asked.
"I might," I agreed. "I don't really want to bring him into this, but…" I uncrossed my legs and crossed them the other way.
"If he can get us into Fairfield's computer, he doesn't need to do anything," Archer said. "Better if he doesn't. Then, if the cops come after us, he won't know anything."
"Hardcastle is right," Boner said. "All we need is access. For all we know, Fairfield doesn't have anything like that stored away."
"Hardwick," Archer corrected. "He might have some other incriminating evidence. Something that'll tie him to Lettie St. James."
"And if we don't find it, we follow him," I said.
"If it comes to that," Archer agreed. "Getting past his security is going to be the biggest challenge."
"I love a challenge." Boner looked ready to tackle it head-on. "I always say to myself, Edward, either you win again or you die. There is no losing."
"Dying sounds like losing to me," Archer said. "I read once that people are aware for about seven minutes after they die. Seems like you'll have time to think about whether you're winning or not."
"Sounds like bullshit to me," Boner said easily. "Hey, I have an idea."
