Watch Your Back

On the other hand, all that visibility made for an un- shakable alibi, and luckily for him, all that power necessitated a staff. He had a public relations director, a security manager, and a director of product development all experts in their respective fields. More relevantly, he now had a cleanup crew who specialized in eliminating threats. A smart man would let them do what they were paid to do and Todd Robinette was a very smart man.

He glanced at the single photograph on his desk. I m a smart man who s sacrificed far too much to lose it all now.

How many nights had he lain awake, worrying that his sacrifice hadn t been sufficient? More than he wanted to remember, especially during that first year.

How many times had he fantasized about silencing her permanently? More than he could count, especially during this past year. The past twelve months had been hell on his nerves. But he d kept his cool, stayed his hand. Because none of those times had been the right time.

But this is. This was not just the right time, but the perfect time. He might not get a chance like this again. It doesn t matter who does the honors, as long as she s dead.

When the knock came again, Robinette ground out, Come in.

Henderson, the most trusted member of his cleanup crew, closed the door and stood before his desk, eyes gleaming at the prospect of a new adventure. Robbie, whatcha got for me?

Robinette took a breath. A new job. He unlocked the cabinet behind his chair, pulled out a folder, and slid it across his desk, which, with the exception of a sleekly modern laptop, the single photograph in the silver frame, and a well-worn Rubik s Cube, was an empty, polished slab of black granite. Detective Stefania Nicolescu Mazzetti, Homicide. She goes by Stevie.

Henderson studied Mazzetti s photo, clipped to the