Page 71 of Lost Truth
“Rewind it to the beginning,” he said to Abby.
She frowned, held his gaze for a long moment, but then did as asked.
The footage started playing again. Cady released her arms and leaned forward. The pain in her eyes deepened, and he stepped closer to take her hand. She didn’t fight him, but held on tight.
As the recording advanced, her tears intensified, dropping from her cheeks onto their held hands. The video reached the section where she’d come into the room, and Hayden paused it there to see if she wanted to continue.
“I can hardly believe this.” She freed her hand to swipe it across her cheeks. “But at least we have the proof we need that they plotted to kill my father.”
Hayden didn’t want to tell her that, yes, they now likely knew who killed her father, but they still didn’t have adequate proof for a court of law. He would have to explain those details later. “Do you want to continue?”
She nodded, but didn’t speak.
Abby clicked play.
“Notwantyou to take him out,” Ivers said. “I’m telling you to take care of him.”
“Why me? Why not Collins or one of your Chinese goons?”
“I might have the backing of that group, but I’m in charge of this operation.” He poked himself in the chest with both thumbs. “Me. Get it, and don’t forget it.”
“I get it, but again I ask, why me? You were going to take Kai Nakoa out yourself. So why is this any different?”
Abby paused the video. “Finally we have information on Kai. Looks like he could be in big trouble.”
Hayden nodded. “Or Ivers already took care of him, but doesn’t want Palmer to know.”
“Keep playing it so we can find out,” Cady said.
As the video started up again, Ivers planted his feet solidly on the concrete, and his nostrils flared. “Nakoa is a different story. He has information on us that could bring down our operation. We’re toast if that information gets out, and I’m the best one to retrieve it.”
“Likely the encrypted flash drive,” Hayden said, and the others nodded.
“Okay, so you don’t want to do this,” Palmer said. “But Collins has done some pretty underhanded things over the years, and is perfectly capable of handling this. Knowing him, he would be jonesing to do it.”
Ivers watched Palmer. “This is going to take finesse. Something Collins doesn’t have. Vaughn’s death needs to look like natural causes, so it’s not like you can go to his place and shoot or stab him.”
Cady grabbed Hayden’s arm, her fingernails digging in, but he didn’t pry them off.
Palmer’s shoulders sagged. “Then what do you want me to do?”
From his pocket, Ivers pulled a black container the size of an eyeglass case and shoved it into Palmer’s hands. “Use this syringe of fentanyl. One injection, and he’ll be gone.”
“That’s it! The murder weapon!” Cady cried out, her fingers tightening more. “Additional proof of their involvement.”
Palmer held the container as if it were some fragile object that might break. “How do you propose I get into the house to inject him without anyone seeing me?”
The man shrugged. “That’s your problem. I want it done by end of day tomorrow.”
“But I?—”
“You donotwant to disobey a direct order from me. You already mentioned my Beijing connections, and you don’t want to bring their wrath down on you too.” Ivers walked away, not stopping for Palmer’s objections.
Palmer stared after him, still holding the syringe. He suddenly pivoted and entered his house, and the video went black.
“What date is this video from?” Cady asked.
Abby called out the date.
“That’s the day before my father died. Don’t you see? It’s all there. Their intent to murder him, the murder weapon, and even saying what day it was going to happen.” A strained smile crossed Cady’s face, but she released Hayden’s arm. “We got them. We found the men responsible for killing my father. We need to get this file to Mina so she can arrest them.”
“About that,” Hayden said, hating to have to share this information with her. “If we show her this video now, she won’t be able to use it in a court of law.”
“What?” Cady stared at him wide-eyed. “Why not?”
“I didn’t have a warrant to take these files.”
“So we can’t use it?”
“Not right now in the way you would hope.” Hayden planted his hands on his waist, hoping to show her he was still in control. “She’ll need probable cause to get a warrant to search Palmer’s house. She’s a terrific sheriff, so she’ll know to request doorbell files for review. Until then, we now know who did what, so we can work to prove it in other ways. And hopefully along the way, we’ll figure out where Ivers stashed Kai.”
