Page 75 of The Reign of Rain Robinson

“Excuse me, Ms. West.”

; Jada smiled when she saw Agent McCullough, and then turned to Clayton. “Would you excuse me for a moment, Mr. Edmonds?”

“Certainly, Ms. West.” Jada extended her hand and Clayton bowed at the waist to kiss it. “Until the next time I have the honor of your company.”

“What can I do you for you, Agent McCullough?”

“I’ve been trying to get in touch with Rain, but I haven’t been able to contact her through any of our usual channels.”

“Rain is indisposed. However, I would be glad to give her a message.”

“As part of our investigation into the matter Mr. and Mrs. Black found themselves involved in while they were in Italy, we been investigating El Decreto de Guerra’s ties to Marietta Dynamics. But since there was no apparent connection to the theft, our team moved on from them and passed it on to another unit. Because of their recent run in with The Family, I kept my hand in and I know they’ve got a sting planned soon.”

“I see. Is there anything else you can tell me about that?”

“All I’ve been able to find out is that they have a deal to sell guns to a buyer that may or may not have ties to somebody in her house. Make sure Rain knows that.”

“I’ll make sure that she knows,” Jada said, and then the agent excused herself and went back to her partner.

It was right about that time when Carmen saw Milton Petty standing alone at the other end of the bar. She finished her Bacardi and headed toward him.

“Mr. Petty?”

“Yes.” When Milton turned around and saw it was Carmen, his eyes narrowed.

“My name is Carmen Taylor with Channel Four News.”

“What can I do for you, Ms. Taylor?” Milton asked calmly, but on the inside, he was furious. The nerve of her to come here.

“Do you mind if I ask you a couple of quick questions?”

And she has the audacity to question me. “What would you like to know?”

“What can you tell me about the murders of Katana Jackson and Richard Castor?”

“Honestly Ms. Taylor, I’ve never heard of either of them.”

“Would it surprise you to know that they both worked for you?”

“A lot of people work for me, Ms. Taylor, so a lot of things occur below my level without me ever knowing about it.” Milton finished his drink and put it on the bar. “But I promise to look into it.” Milton said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.”

“I have one more question before you go.”

“What’s that?”

“Have you ever been to Enzo's Palace?” Carmen asked.

“No. What is that?” he asked, and Carmen could tell from the distorted look on his face when the question was asked and answered that he had definitely been to Enzo's Palace. And now she was sure that Milton Petty was involved on some level.

Chapter Twenty-seven

Now that Carmen had what she came for, she was ready to get out of there. She looked around for Jada and saw her standing at the bar talking to the FBI agent that had spoken to her earlier in the evening. Carmen wondered if there was some problem that involved the FBI or was it just that there isn’t anybody that Jada didn’t know.

“You ready to go?” Carmen asked.

“Yes,” Jada replied and signaled for Victor. “Did you get what you came for?”