Page 16 of Hard Wired

Chapter Six

Maureen knocked on the door and poked her head in. “Dominic? Your security system was acting strange again last night.”

Groaning, he sat up from the couch, bumping his ankle monitor against the coffee table. “What’s it been doing?”

“Turning on and off, like it was before. I pushed that button and spoke to someone at Bennett Security again. But they still insist they don’t see any problem.”

“Was it Sylvie?” He felt a twinge of something, though he couldn’t say if it was anticipation or annoyance.

“Not her. Some technician. Should I try again and ask for her?”

He pushed off the couch. “I’ll handle it later.” He’d have to go straight to the top and call Max Bennett. The man owed him, after all, and this glitchy security system of Bennett’s wasn’t nearly enough to make them square.

But Dominic didn’t feel like doing that right now. He was already busy avoiding his lawyer, who’d called three times this morning.

Then his phone rang yet again. Dammit, didn’t Sandford have anything better to do?

“Just answer it already. I’m sick of hearing that thing ring.” Maureen left the room, shaking her head.

Fine, he thought. I should get it over with.

“This is Crane.”

“Dominic, Aaron Sandford.”

As if he didn’t know. But did he detect a new hint of backbone in his lawyer’s voice? “What do you need?”

“What I need is to talk. Are you available? Can I come by?”

“What do you think? Of course, I’m fucking available. I can’t leave my house.”

“There’s no need to take that tone with me.”

“I’ll take whatever tone I feel like. Just tell me what the hell this is about.”

“Hold on. I’ll call you back.”

Sandford hung up. Dominic stared down at his phone, wondering what was going on. The lawyer called right back, but this time using a secure app with video conferencing.

“Since you insist on discussing this now, instead of in person, then I’ll accommodate you.”

Sandford was in his office in downtown Los Angeles. Dominic could see the next skyscraper through the man’s window.

He sat back down on his couch. “Then out with it. Obviously, something’s changed?”

“That’s right. The Syndicate has a new leader.”

Dominic worked hard to keep his face expressionless, though inside his guts were roiling. “And who is that?”

“Your uncle. Charles Traynor.”

Fuck. “Have you spoken to Warren?”

“I have not. But I don’t work for Warren, I work for the organization.”

Unbelievable. The lawyer was jumping ship on them? So much for loyalty. “What about the other captains? Have they recognized Charles?”

“They have. Otherwise, you and I wouldn’t be having this conversation. The factions have united behind your uncle. I’m calling to extend his offer of friendship and forgiveness. I’d suggest you fall in line.”

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