Page 62 of The Enforcer’s Pawn

Now it sits on the screen beside Patrick’s name.

Petrov taps the line on the page. “Halden Rowe processed vendor reviews for several Boston accounts Patrick used last month. Low-level access. Invoice checks, payment holds, beneficiary confirmations.”

“So Evan wasn’t only Kathryn’s boyfriend,” Dmitri says.

“No,” Abramov answers. “He was useful twice.”

I stare at the screen. Evan had Kathryn’s trust at home, and he worked close enough to Patrick’s money to overhear things he probably didn’t understand. Patrick wouldn’t need him clever. He’d only need him flattered.

Dmitri looks at me. “You know the company.”

“I know the type of company.”

“That’s not an answer.”

“Then enjoy the mental short circuit.”

Abramov places another sheet on the table. “Mercer may have leaked workplace details without knowing where they went. Vendor names, review dates, payment holds, staff schedules.”

“Evan gave him small details,” Dmitri says. “Patrick used those details to move money more safely.”

My stomach turns.

Small things. Casual things. Evan asking questions while Kathryn made pasta. Kathryn answered because he was her boyfriend, and Mikhail sat at the table with his crayons while Evan listened.

“I need to call Kathryn,” I say.

Dmitri answers first. “No.”

I turn to him. “She needs a new code, a new place to go, and instructions now.”

“The line may be watched.”

“Then watch it with me. Script the call. Put three men under the table if it makes you feel better.”

My chair scrapes back. Dmitri’s hand catches the edge before it can tip.

“Don’t make me fight you on this,” I say, and my voice shakes, which makes me angrier. “Kathryn doesn’t know what is near her.”

Abramov says, “If Mercer is compromised, a call tells Patrick what frightened you.”

Maksim’s voice comes from the doorway. “Set up the call.”

Everyone looks toward the door. Elena is beside Maksim, and her attention is on me.

Dmitri gets to his feet. “Maksim.”

Maksim points to Abramov. “Use a controlled line. She doesn’t say names or locations, and she doesn’t scare the woman unless she has to. If anyone touches the call, I want to know who.”

Abramov nods and heads for the secure desk.

Elena steps past Maksim and stops beside my table. “Dmitri, she’s right.” Then she turns to me and says, “Get her moving, Cara. Don’t give her enough to freeze.”

Yuri connects the call through a boxed device and slides the handset toward me. Abramov watches the trace screen, Petrov shuts the door, and Dmitri stays close enough that his hand brushes the back of my chair.

The line rings once. Twice.

Kathryn answers, breathless. “Cara?”