Detective Danny Cavanaugh 01 - The Brink

told you I’d handle this. Get out of here now.”
    But Sydney sidestepped him. She took out the paper from the bag, unfolded it, and shoved it in Booker’s face. “Sir, isn’t that your name and your signature?”
    Danny stepped over to take a look. He saw Booker’s name in both printed letters and as the signature that he had seen only a few times in his life, but nevertheless recognized it on sight. The huge B and H were followed by pulse-like bumps along a heart-monitor readout.
    Sydney continued. “Senator Halsey, per ICJ guidelines, whenever a lawsuit is brought before the ICJ or any chamber therein, it must first be recognized by agents of both parties.”
    For the first time since Danny had known him, Senator Booker Halsey was speechless. Danny stepped toward him and leveled his eyes.
    “All right BH. Let’s cut the BS.”

Chapter 37
    Anthony Fantroy was in his car when his cell phone, his other cell phone, rang. He caught his driver’s sidelong glance in the rearview mirror, but the glance was gone as fast as it had come.
    Fantroy studied the Caller ID. His driver was no doubt familiar with the various rings of Fantroy’s phones and knew that this was his personal line. He thought about raising the divide that would turn the backseat of the limousine into a soundproof booth, but he decided against it. Leaks can happen anywhere at anytime by anyone. He didn’t need to raise suspicions of his activities when they were so close to the finish line; well, not the finish line exactly, rather the starting point to their long-awaited goal.
    “Yes,” he uttered into the phone.
    “Sir, it’s Stefan Taber. I hope my call hasn’t put you in a compromising position.”
    “Of course not. How can I be of service?”
    “Sir, I have tracked the targets to their next destination. I have them in my sights, and I await further instruction.”
    Fantroy could hardly believe the events of the last twenty-four hours. He didn’t like it when things got out of control, and Nathan Broederlam had done more than let things get out of control. Now Sydney Dumas was making waves with a Texas Ranger wanted for murder. Of all the people for Sydney to run into. Was it fate? Luck? Chance? All three? Who knew?
    “Sir?” Taber said after the long silence.
    “You may proceed.”
    “Proceed with termination?”
    Fantroy paused to analyze his choices one last time, but he had already made up his mind. “Yes.”
    Fantroy flipped shut the cell phone, ending the call. We are so close , he thought. Now is the time for absolutes. There was nothing more absolute than death.

Chapter 38
    Sydney let Booker Halsey study the document, but she kept it firmly in her hands and firmly out of his reach. She finally snatched it back to her chest, which seemed to wake a dazed Senator Halsey back to reality.
    Booker turned to Danny. “Danny, we need to talk.” He was still sweating from the tennis match, but his perspiration seemed to drip down his face with greater velocity now. His eyes rolled to Sydney. The edges of his mouth curled like a cornered dog ready to bite. “Alone.”
    Danny knew Booker wouldn’t make another sound until Sydney left their presence. He turned to her. “Sydney, you heard the senator. Go back to the tennis courts. I’ll meet you there.”
    Sydney was about to argue when Danny intensified his stare. He whispered through his clenched jaw, “If you don’t do as I say, I’m done with you. You’re on your own.”
    Sydney stood there for a moment, every inch of her six-foot plus frame preaching her outrage. She finally relented and trudged back along the jogging trial.
    Danny turned back to the senator. “Okay, Booker. Talk.”
    Booker looked as if Danny had just slapped his flushed jowl. “Don’t order me around, Danny. You are not in control here. I only need to make a phone call, and I can have you arrested on the spot. Or have you forgotten that you’re a fugitive? If anything, I’m doing you a favor by even agreeing to stand here and talk to you.”
    “Is that right?” Danny grabbed Booker by the neck and shoved him against a tree. He yanked out the Junglee knife and thrust the blade against the senator’s throat. Despite Danny’s outrage, Booker remained calm and stayed silent.
    “Now I’m doing you a favor by letting you live,” Danny growled. “You are going to tell me everything you know about this lawsuit, the monastery, and your relationship with Phoenix Oil. But most important, you