Highways & Hostages Read Online Free PDF Page B

hole.
    “Walk with me,” Julian commanded without a backward glance.
    Julian and Finn approached the ball. Julian studied the hole for a moment, then sunk the ball into the cup. Finn clapped politely.
    Julian turned to Jerome. “Feel free to take a break.” He turned back to Finn and regarded him with narrowed eyes. “Word around the city is that Christoph has a high price on that big, stubborn head of yours. I’ve tried to reach him to no avail. I must admit I’m slightly worried.”
    Finn swallowed and kicked at the grass. He was tired of hiding in his condo like some kid who’d been grounded after staying out too late. He ached to be out gathering items for clients and earning his keep in the Brotherhood.
    “Christoph can be a very…volatile man. Sometimes his emotions lead him to act before thinking things through. Like another man I know,” Julian said, throwing a wry glance at Finn. “We need to let this blow over, which entails you getting out of town.”
    “‘Getting out of town’? What does that mean?” Finn moved his glasses to the top of his head to look Julian in the eye.
    “Yes, leave town. Coincidentally, I have a very important piece that needs fetching.”
    “Oh? And where is this very important piece?”
    “Millstown, Texas. It’s near San Antonio. The contact works at Armadillo Ernie’s Super Flea Market.”
    Finn didn’t dare roll his eyes, but he allowed himself a shudder. “Armadillo Ernie’s in Millstown, Texas sounds totally legit. You want me to go to Millstown? No prob. I can fly out tomorrow.”
    Julian rested both hands on top of his club. “It won’t be quite that easy.”
    Finn raised an eyebrow.
    “I want you to go to Millstown, but you’ll have to do it without my resources. I want you to prove you’ve still got what it takes to succeed in this business.”
    Finn had a sinking feeling. “And that means…?”
    “No chartered plane. No company credit cards. No fancy cars and chauffeurs. No wingmen. The bank account I set up for you when you first got here: frozen.”
    “You can’t be serious,” Finn sputtered. “That’s all I have.”
    “As serious as my son’s gunshot wound.”
    Finn winced. “Julian, how the hell am I supposed to get to…Millstown…and get—what is it?”
    “An imperial crown from Guatemala.”
    Finn let out a low whistle. “We’re talking big money.”
    “ Big money.”
    “Alright, just let me make sure we’re on the same page. You want me to get to Millstown, meet with the contact, and bring home a crown?”
    “An imperial crown.”
    “With no money or help from you? I don’t even have access to my bank account?”
    “That is correct.”
    “Julian, you’re killing me. What am I supposed to do? What about my grandmother’s bills?” Finn asked, sweat beading on his brow.
    “I’ll cover your grandmother’s bills myself.” Julian sighed. “Jacob, I took you under my wing because you were resourceful, determined, and ambitious. You’re still all of those things, but you must rid yourself of your complacency. When you’re in our line of work, there’s no room for it. Complacency is what gets you in trouble.”
    Finn shuffled back and forth, hands in his pockets, staring at the ground.
    “I believe in you. Once, I would have said that you were the future of the Brotherhood, but at the moment, I’m having my doubts. I know Alex doesn’t want to do this for the rest of his life, and I wouldn’t trust Billy to take care of a houseplant, let alone an international organization with so many intricate moving pieces. You need to get back to basics.”
    Finn was confused. It sounded as if Julian was grooming him to take over the Brotherhood, which sent a thrill down his spine. But he was slightly pissed that Julian was still making him jump through hoops after all these years, after all he’d done for the man. But maybe, just maybe, this journey would be the final weight needed to tip the scales in his favor.
    Finn took a