It’s not time yet. We’re not ready.
She read the text, bit her lip, then answered.
We’re ready when I say we’re ready. We’ve laid this groundwork for ten months. I’m not explaining myself anymore. Get this started.
After pressing the send button, she smiled. Even through the anxiety of his predicted response. Caution was why he was brought on board those years ago. But fear had no place in an operation like this. Especially from him. His caution could overtake his judgement at times. But that was why they made a good team, here and in Detroit.
Two minutes passed. She pictured him fidgeting and then pacing, which was his norm. She shifted in her chair, the gold coin dancing along the top of her hand. They’d known each other well. Raymond had been a faithful lieutenant, almost family.
Then again, she really never understood the concept of family. Not after her’s had allowed what had happened to her. Weren’t family members supposed to have one’s back? To protect each other?
Guess not.
At any rate, she wouldn’t be questioned again. Ever. He’d find that out the hard way.
The phone vibrated in her other hand and she looked down to read the screen.
Okay. You’re the boss. I’m not sure we have all three parties where we want them. I don’t trust everyone to get things done tonight. Then there’s that forensic cop and the FBI too.
Her fingers flew.
Do what we talked about. I’ll handle the rest. You need not be concerned with cops or the FBI. We’re going tonight. Get it done and make sure these texts are deleted from our records.
She tossed the phone on the table, picked up the glass of brandy, and headed toward the bathroom for a hot shower.
As her feet touched the marble tile, for a moment, however brief, she rethought dropping off the body parts to Ellen Harper’s vehicle.
The uneasy feeling that accompanied that thought was a bit unfamiliar to a woman like her. Then it vanished in her certainty.
“All in the plan, it was all in the plan,” she whispered.
Tipping back the glass of brandy, she finished it, then stepped into the bathroom, embracing the steamy isolation of the running shower.