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"She collects antiques?" Ava slumped back in her chair

"My information just mentions that she collects fine art I don’t know if that’s oil paintings, statues, pottery, or pictures of boogies"

"Boogies" Ava raised an eyebrow

"From your nose" Mavis looked away as if the whole idea was distasteful and she hadn’t brought it up to begin with

"She’s worked really hard to keep a low profile" I rubbed a hand along my jaw I needed a shave "I’ve never heard of her"

"Neither have I" Mavis reached forward and pressed a button on the coood at weeding out ill get her what she wants but still be controlled Marcus only cares aboutjobs his way, he’ll be content"

"No, eventually he’ll set his sights higher" My stupid big brother This woman would mop the floor with him

The woman walked on the screen flanked by a well fed man and well-dressed woman--obviously a subordinate by the way she stayed one step behind Maria at all ti" Ava pointed at the screen

"That’s the man you were supposed to kill?" Mavis paused the video "Your contact was named Maria?"

"Yes She was a tall brunette woman"

Mavis snorted "A coincidence?"

Owen shook his head no "You and I both know those don’t happen I couldn’t get a bead on her She never stated that she was the person that was paying me, but if that was someone’s secretary, I’d hate to meet her boss" I looked at the profiles of both women "A real cold fish If I had to pick one of them, I would say that Maria really was named Maria I wouldn’t bet that she wasn’t one of the woh They have similar traits"

"What do we do now?" Ava looked at et close to her" I nodded my head at the screen "That’s the hardest part"

"Then what?"

"We ask nicely what the hell her problem is" Mavis narrowed her eyes "And what she’s done with Laura"

"And when you say ‘ask her nicely’…"

"We don’t take no for an answer" I met her eyes and waited as she processed what Iwoht I had to kill Maria to keep Ava safe, I wouldn’t hesitate

Someone knocked on the back door and I slid out of ainst the wall and stood in front her, un in my hand

"Relax It’s Kenny" Mavis stood up and walked to the door She was holding a forty five in her left hand Where she had been hiding that I wasn’t sure