“So why kill her?”
“Because around two in the morning I found her sitting on the beach, alone,” Hannah says onscreen. “She must have sobered up a little because she started saying all of this nasty stuff about the two of us, pointing her finger in my face, saying that we were bribing her and it would never work. That’s when I realized this little ungrateful bitch would never quit.”
“So you killed her.”
“No! I didn’t mean to. I pushed her down, to show her she couldn’t mess with me. But then she tried to push back, so I punched her in the face. And she hit me back and started screaming and I knew Brooke would be coming along any minute and I wanted the little bitch to stop so I grabbed a rock and I…”
Clee can’t stand any more of this. He lunges for his keyboard and fumbles for the key that will turn off the feed. Quinn calmly returns to his seat on the other side of the desk. After a few moments, Hannah’s voice is cut off. Both men sit in the office in silence.
“So the only people who know the truth are you and your team,” Clee finally says.
“That is correct. You hired us, we report directly to you.”
Clee nods. “I knew about this. Well, I didn’t know for sure that it was Hannah, though I should have guessed. She was always the more…rambunctious of the two.”
“Of course you knew,” Quinn says. “You also hired men to spread misinformation and offer bogus testimonies. And then you hired us to throw suspicion away from your daughters. You heard that we were the best, and that if you could convince the best that someone else killed Paige, your daughters would be safe.”
Clee puckers his lips a little as he considers this. “And you’re not going to keep this quiet, are you?”
Quinn smiles, then shakes his head. “Never try to sting a Stingray.”
Paul Clee shifts in his seat. “You know, Mr. Quinn, one of the advantages of having your own floor is that you can soundproof the walls to studio quality. Not a single noise will escape.”
Then he opens his drawer and removes a large silver revolver as if it’s nothing more than a tape dispenser or stapler. He points the gun at Quinn’s chest and shows his teeth, his expression somewhere between a sneer and a predator’s grin.
Chapter 36
QUINN (continued)
“Mr. Clee, you’re not thinking clearly,” Quinn says.
“On the contrary, I considered the possibility that your team would discover the truth. So I’ve planned everything to the last detail. Your body will be removed along with the rest of the office refuse. The chair you’re sitting in will be replaced, as well as the carpeting beneath your feet. Within the hour, everything will look brand-new. I have a very loyal staff. We’re like a family, really.”
Clee leans forward over his desk with the gun, as if to shorten the distance for the bullet that’s about to make its way into Quinn’s chest.
Quinn, however, remains motionless. “What about my team? They’re not going to let you get away with this.”
“Who? Your precious Stingrays? Without a leader, they’ll be easy pickings. If they’re still on the island, they’re as good as dead. You’re the slippery one, Mr. Quinn. But you’re not going to slip out of this.”
Quinn nods, then leans forward, too, mimicking Clee’s body language.
“After you kill me,” Quinn says, “I’d like you to do me a favor. Check your surveillance recordings from this very soundproof floor from…oh, somewhere between four and five o’clock this morning.”
“What? Why?”
Quinn shrugs.
Clee’s expression morphs from one of confusion to anger—all of which culminates in a roar as he pulls the trigger. But instead of a blast, there is nothing but a loud hollow snap of the hammer connecting with the firing pin. Clee looks down at the pistol in his hand as if it’s an employee who has disappointed him.
“I’m a planner, too, Mr. Clee.”
“So you broke into my office.…”
“…Early this morning and removed the bullets. You should thank me. This means you’ll only be arrested for attempted murder rather than the real deal. Oh, along with obstruction of justice, accessory to murder, and a host of other charges I’m sure the FBI will be reading to you in just a moment.”
Those words are the cue for the federal agents standing by to swarm into Clee’s office and take him into custody. Their entire conversation has been recorded, too, which will make it especially challenging for Clee’s wolf pack of lawyers when it comes time for the trial.
Once he’s outside the building, Quinn calls Jana, who’s waiting near the luggage carousel at Logan International with the others.
“Nigel James and the twins are in custody,” Jana says. “Local authorities are preparing to turn them over to the FBI.”
“Good. The girls will be able to see their father soon.”
“Did Clee go along quietly?”
“Pretty much,” Quinn says. “How’s the team?”
“Otto’s going on and on about lunch,” she says. As per tradition, the Stingrays will gather for a celebratory feast at the successful close of the case. “What can I tell him so he’ll shut up already?”
“Tell them it’ll be dinner,” Quinn says. “But first I’d like you to stop by the office a little early.”
“How early, my dear?”
Quinn smiles. “Well…are you busy right now?”
This is another part of the tradition. But they never mention it to the other Stingrays.
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About the Authors
James Patterson is the world’s bestselling author and most trusted storyteller. He has created many enduring fictional characters and series, including Alex Cross, the Women’s Murder Club, Michael Bennett, Maximum Ride, Middle School, and I Funny. Among his notable literary collaborations are The President Is Missing, with President Bill Clinton, and the Max Einstein series, produced in partnership with the Albert Einstein Estate. Patterson’s writing career is characterized by a
