CHAPTER EIGHT

HELL IS ABOUT TO BE UNLEASHED

"We may have a problem, sir."

Hunter inwardly sighed as he waved Lashley to a seat at the table. Once again, he missed Randy. At least he allowed Hunter to have his first cup of coffee before talking about problems. "Coffee?"

Lashley eyed the service cart. "Water would be fine, sir." When he was handed the bottle of water, he cracked it open and drank half of it. "Thank you."

Hunter sat down. "What's the problem?"

"As you know, Shawn Spears was arrested then released because of the faulty DOJ warrant resulting from Mr. Flair's arrest," Lashley explained. "When Mr. Orton…died, Mr. Spears' attorney made a deal with the DA's office; and he was taken into protective custody by the U.S. Marshals."

Hunter nodded. "Do we have anyone in that organization?"

Lashley shook his head. "And there's no indication the Bloodline has someone in there either. However, we do have someone in the DA's office…someone of long-standing. I've received information from that person that Spears has given them enough data that arrest warrants are being prepared for the arrest of some of our people who were working with Mr. Orton on the break-ins. It's entirely possible this would include the Mizanin murder."

"How much time do we have?"

"The warrants will probably be served tomorrow," Lashley answered. "DA Cole is probably coordinating simultaneous arrests with Chief Malenko."

"How many of our people are involved?" Hunter demanded.

"A dozen. Mr. Orton rotated the people he used."

Hunter swore under his breath. "Prioritize that list. The ones who could do the most damage to us need to be removed from here as quickly as possible…but discreetly. Arrange for them to be taken out of town and transferred as far away as possible. If you can't do it without causing a confrontation with the cops, back off. I'll use the lawyers to get to them."

Lashley hesitated, then spoke. "It's probable that Spears has implicated Mr. Orton."

Hunter's expression hardened. "Then Mr. Spears will meet the same fate as the late unlamented Leah Moxley. What do we know about the Federal investigation into our bank?"

"Preliminary so far," Lashley reported. "The investigators are primarily reviewing the bank's protocols. So far, it appears they're treating it as a breakdown of those protocols."

Hunter nodded. "Keep an eye on that and advise me of any changes."

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"I hope I'm not interrupting," Alexa apologized as she stood in the doorway of Sandow's office.

"No at all," Damien smiled. "My first appointment isn't for another hour. Please sit down."

"This won't take long," Alexa promised as she sat across the desk from him. "I just have a question about the trust. Some of the details are…well, a little fuzzy."

"Quite understandable," Damien nodded. "What's the question?"

"What happens to the trust money that I now have and will continue to receive when I die?"

Damien blinked more than once. "I didn't expect that question," he admitted.

Alexa looked a little uncomfortable. "I don't know if you saw the announcement, but I'm getting married."

"I did see it! Congratulations."

"Thank you." Alexa hesitated, then continued, "Hopefully, my mother and sisters won't be interfering again. But…if I should happen to die…"

"The terms set forth by Judge Daniels will still be in effect," Damien quickly assured her. "Those funds, as well as any future disbursements, will be added to your estate."

"Can they make a claim on that?" Alexa asked.

"Not according to the terms of the trust," Damien firmly replied. "That money is yours to do with as you wish. I would recommend, however, that if you don't have a will, you need to make one. The funds would then be distributed as you see fit."

Alexa thoughtfully nodded.

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"Boss, you've got a visitor," Nikki sing-songed as she stuck her head into Mox's office.

"Did I forget a client meeting?" Mox asked, looked up from his sketchbook.

Nikki snickered as she stepped back, and Alexa took her place, holding a take-out bag from a Chinese restaurant she knew Mox favored.

Mox widely grinned and stood. "Thanks, Nikki. Hold my calls."

Nikki laughed out loud as she closed Mox's office door.

"Hi, honey," Mox murmured as he hugged Alexa tightly. "Didn't expect you to bring me lunch."

"Well, I figured you didn't stop for lunch after that meeting with the City. I'm glad it went so well. And I wanted to talk to you about something and thought bringing food would help," Alexa impishly replied.

"Can't hurt," Mox cheerfully agreed. He cleared a place on his desk as Alexa began setting the food out.

Alexa glanced the open sketchbook and slightly frowned. "What's that? It doesn't look like furniture."

Mox laughed. "It's a sketch for Balor's Lego competition piece." He closed the sketchbook. "The competition's next weekend so this is the final drawing. It's kinda ambitious, but I think the two of us can pull it off."

"You're going to help him?" Alexa looked surprised.

Mox nodded as he began eating. "I always liked puzzles, and this seems kinda fun. We're driving up to Chicago early Saturday morning. The winners will be announced at 6pm so we should be back on the road by 8pm." He saw the thoughtful look on Alexa's face. "What?" he asked.

"Just thinking," Alexa innocently answered. "I'm going to ask Bayley to be the bridesmaid. Since you and Finn are going to be in Chicago on Saturday, the two of us and Nikki could drive up to do a little shopping for the wedding, then stop by and see the two of you win."

"Well, don't be disappointed," Mox pointed out. "This is Balor's first competition, and I'm a complete amateur."

"Beginner's luck," Alexa solemnly promised.

"So, what did you want to talk about?" Mox asked. "If it's about the wedding, do whatever you want."

"Actually, I had a conversation with Damien Sandow about the trust," Alexa began. "I was concerned what would happen when I die." She was startled when Mox's hand slapped down on the desk.

"Don't talk like that!" Mox hissed.

Alexa reached out and squeezed his wrist. "I know," she calmly spoke. "But it's something to be considered. After all, I need to make a will."

Mox opened his mouth then shut it. After all, he'd made a will. "Sorry," he mumbled.

Alexa nodded. "I'm going to talk with William about that. And about giving you Power of Attorney for legal, medical, and financial decisions if I'm unable to make them for myself."

"What?" Mox grimaced, the food suddenly sitting like a rock in his stomach.

"Legally, right now, my mother is my next-of-kin," Alexa gently explained. "If I'm unable, for any reason, to make decisions about my medical care, or finances, or legal decisions, she would have the authority to make them for me." She hesitated. "Since we'll be married, you would be considered my next-of-kin; but she could challenge that. A Power of Attorney would put more legal weight on your side."

"Judas H. Priest," Mox grumbled, then nodded. "Yeah, I see your point. But…you want me to make those decisions?"

Alexa nodded. "You're going to be my husband. Who else?"

"Well, Regal for legal. Sandow for financial. Somebody for medical."

"I want you," Alexa said. "I'll let you know what I would want."

Mox grimaced again. "Do we have to talk about that now?"

"No." Alexa sat on Mox's lap and hugged him tightly.

"Set me up with Regal as well. I guess I need to do the same with those Powers of Attorney." Mox buried his face into Alexa's neck. 'I hate thinking about this shit.'

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Roman glanced at the display on his phone, then frowned. He picked up the receiver and spoke, "Damian, how are you?"

"Not well," Damian Priest admitted. "Scarlett was murdered."

Roman leaned back in his chair, stunned at the news. "What…how did it happen?"

Damian hesitated. "She was stabbed at The Tarot Club yesterday evening. I've been busy making arrangements for the funeral tomorrow."

"Who?" Roman demanded.

There was another hesitation. "That's a conversation I'd prefer to have face to face with you. I don't think I should leave New Orleans, however. Scarlett was…beloved. Quite a few of my people are demanding retribution, and I've had to exert quite a bit of authority to keep them in line. I've reminded them that Scarlett's funeral is tomorrow afternoon, and she deserves respect," Damian continued. "Can we video conference Wednesday morning as early as possible?"

"Of course," Roman agreed. "How about 9am?"

"That would be fine,"

"Understood. Do you need assistance with your people?" Roman asked.

"Thank you, no," Damian assured him. "Those most vocal about retribution have seen the errors of that strategy."

Roman felt the hairs on the back of his neck tingle. He had a feeling Hell was going to be unleashed in New Orleans.