The Kill Order Read Online Free PDF Page A

was Sydney’s partner in San Francisco at the time she found those numbers in Mexico? Not social.” He finished the coffee, then tossed the cup in the trash.
    “You think he might have a copy?”
    “We have to assume so until we find out otherwise.”
    “Then why not ask him?”
    Tex tossed the paper down, clearly frustrated. “That’s exactly what we should do. But McNiel says no. Carillo doesn’t have the clearance.”
    And Griffin said, “If we’re lucky, he’ll never find out.”
    “If the two of you are lucky,” Lisette countered, “he’ll forgive you when he does.”
    The possibility existed with Carillo. Of forgiveness, that was. He was the pragmatic sort. Sydney was not, he thought, ignoring the pointed stare Lisette had turned his way.
    “So,” she said, getting up to sit on the edge of Tex’s bed, her look one of cynical amusement. “How are you planning to recover this alleged info?”
    “He hasn’t decided,” Griffin replied.
    Tex looked over the top of the paper. “More like I’ve been avoiding the issue, because both options suck.”
    “And they are . . . ?” Lisette asked him.
    “One, I leave now and go in while he’s at work. Two, I wait for dark, call to say I’m in the area, get his ass drunk, then search while he’s passed out.”
    She crossed her arms. “You’re right. They both suck. But the first plan is far less slimy than buttering up your friend with alcohol and pretending to be all buddy-buddy as you’re shoving a dagger in his back.”
    “Like I wasn’t feeling crappy enough,” Tex said. The shower stopped, and they all looked at the bathroom. Tex turned his attention back to the paper, clearly done with the conversation, and they sat there in silence, even after the blow dryer started.
    Unfortunately it gave Griffin far too long to think about everything that had resulted, the lives touched—the lives lost—because of a decision he’d made before he even knew Sydney or Carillo. His mission had been to recover the Devil’s Key—and failing that, to kill anyone in possession of it. Those numbers Sydney had found were that important, that dangerous to national security. And yet when it came right down to it, Griffin ignored the kill order, deciding instead that Sydney, who was known for being a rule follower, would turn them over to the agents as instructed.
    Who could have foreseen this?
    Right now, he was actually glad his pounding headache made it difficult to concentrate on any one thing. He leaned his head back, closed his eyes, trying not to think about the implications of his actions. And when he’d almost succeeded, Piper stepped out, the piercings in her face no longer present. Although she still had the black and pink hair, gone was the tough, goth, punk rocker. In her place stood a young, vulnerable girl, reminding him once again that there were consequences for his actions—and his inactions.
    Lisette smiled at her, holding up the shopping bag. “A hat. This way, you can at least keep your hair for a while.”
    The girl took it, pulled out the fleece cap, and put it on.
    The moment her hair was covered, hiding the vivid pink tufts, the effect was complete. She looked like any other young girl.
    Tex eyed the two of them. “She could pass for your younger sister, Lisette.”
    Piper looked over at her, her expression one of curiosity as she examined Lisette’s face. And then Piper gave a hint of a smile. “You’re pretty.”
    Lisette walked her over to the mirror, then touched her on the chin. “And so are you.” She stood there, looking at their reflection a moment. “Perhaps you are my long-lost cousin? Yes? Clearly we both have good genes.”
    The girl smiled again, and Griffin was grateful for Lisette’s ability to bond so quickly. It would make the process much easier when they finally had to inform her that she’d be going into witness protection. Nothing like telling a girl barely twenty years old that she was going to have to give