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outstanding Colby investigator. If he had a lead of his own, Victoria felt confident it would prove worthwhile.
    â€œAny word from the task force?” she asked, hoping Jim had heard something she hadn’t.
    He shook his head. “But,” he qualified, “with the number of great and determined minds we have working on this case, I’m certain we’ll have a break soon.”
    Victoria nodded. The Bureau here in Chicago, in Huntsville, Alabama, as well as in New Orleans, had formed a task force to stop this ruthless ring of bastards.
    It couldn’t happen fast enough to suit Victoria.
    â€œI saw on your desk calendar that you have an appointment with your doctor next week.”
    â€œJust a routine physical,” Victoria assured her son.“I’m a few months behind. My doctor isn’t too happy with me.” She sipped her coffee. “But I’ve been a little busy lately.”
    Judging by Jim’s expression, he wasn’t going to let it go quite so lightly. “Keep the appointment. I don’t want you ignoring your health.”
    A smile widened no matter that she knew he was very serious. “I will keep the appointment. My health is important. I have two beautiful grandchildren who need me.”
    Jim’s gaze locked with hers. “ I need you.”
    Emotion expanded in Victoria’s chest. “Well.” She took a much-needed breath. “How are the negotiations going with your buyer for the Equalizer shop?”
    â€œHe’s willing to pay above asking price.” Jim shrugged, his expression puzzled.
    â€œYou’re not happy about that?” Seemed to Victoria that above asking price would be the optimum desirable situation. Particularly in this economy.
    â€œWe’re this deep into negotiations,” Jim explained, “and he still refuses to reveal his identity. His attorney claims the man just wants to maintain his anonymity. That he’s a philanthropist and intends to use the Equalizers as a way to help those in need, particularly those who don’t have the financial resources to help themselves.”
    Now she understood his unease. “Sounds too good to be true.”
    Jim nodded. “You know the adage. Whenever something sounds too good to be true, it usually is.”
    Victoria hoped that the idea that Tessa Woods was still alive wasn’t too good to be true as well.

Chapter Five
    New Orleans, 8:25 a.m.
    This was going to hurt.
    Wrists bound above his head and feet swinging several inches above the concrete floor, Riley braced for the coming pain.
    Brooks shoved the paddle against Riley’s abdomen. Electricity roared through his body. His muscles convulsed. His teeth clenched.
    â€œYou still sticking to your story?” Brooks demanded. “Don’t have anything else to share?”
    Riley struggled to catch his breath. “I’ve told you all there is to tell.” His muscles burned. His shoulders throbbed with the effort of supporting his full body weight. His jaws ached from clenching his teeth. “I just want to keep my job and stay out of prison.”
    Brooks thrust the paddle at him again.
    Riley’s body shuddered. Fire seemed to ignite across his skin. His stomach clenched.
    â€œJust kill him and get it over with,” Howard suggested. “This is a waste of time.”
    Brooks laughed. “I’m not done yet.” He reached toward Riley once more.
    â€œWait!” Riley heaved a halting breath. “Wait,” he muttered.
    The smile on Brooks’s face spread into a spiteful grin. “I thought you might change your mind.”
    Riley had held up through more than an hour of physical torture. He could have tolerated more, but the end result would have been the same. Death. These guys had no intention of allowing him to stay alive.
    He had nothing to lose by going with Tessa’s suggestion. If it was a setup, made no difference. At this point he was dead