Just Bob (Assassins Inc. #1)(26)

Nothing else needed to be said.

“We think whoever took the contract out on Bob has something to do with his work,” Stryker said. “We were headed to his office when we spotted the Mercedes.”

Samson nodded. “I followed it from Bob’s place.”

I raised a brow at the man. “And you were staking out Bob’s place because…”

Like I had to ask.

“You know why, Shade,” the man replied.

I curled my hands into fists under the table. The murderous thoughts floating through my head would never come to fruition. I knew that. The smirk on Samson’s face said he knew it, too. But I could still think them.

I ground my teeth together, clenching my jaw. “He’s my mate.”

“Which is why I am sitting here with you instead of killing Bob.”

“Sinclair said the contract is up to three million.” That made me sick to my stomach. Any fool with a gun would be aiming for Bob. Not everyone had a belief in mates as much as panthers did.

Samson nodded. “Which makes you wonder why they want your mate dead so much. I haven’t seen a contract go up so fast in all my years of doing this shit.”

“Excuse me.”

I stiffened when a shadow fell over the table, looking up at the man who had spoken. It was the guy in the fancy suit. I just stared at him.

“My…uh…my name is Clarence Bixby. I’m—”

“Bixby and Kent, right?” I asked, although I already knew the answer. This was Bob’s boss, the big boss. I was curious as to why he had followed us and why he was approaching us now. “What can we do for you, Mr. Bixby?”

“I followed you from Bob Mills’s house.” A flush filled the man’s pale cheeks when he said that. “I’ve been trying to reach Mr. Mills, but he isn’t answering any of my phone calls or e-mails. I was wondering if you might pass on a message for me.”

I clenched my hands again as my anger renewed itself. I wasn’t going to tear this guy’s head off in a public place.

Really.

“And what message would that be?”

See, I could play nice.

The guy glanced around for a moment. There was a desperate, anxious air about him. “Do you mind if I sit down? I’d like to keep this conversation between us.”

Samson moved over to the next chair before gesturing to the one he had just vacated. “Sit.”

Clarence sent Samson a small smile as he sat.

“So, what’s this all about, Mr. Bixby?” I asked.

“Clarence, please. Mr. Bixby is my father.”

“So, you’re not the Bixby in Bixby and Kent?”

“I will be if my father ever retires.” There was some anger behind those words, making me wonder about the relationship between Clarence and his father.

“What do you want to talk to Bob about?”

Clarence’s lips thinned for a moment before he replied. “There’s something going on at Bixby and Kent. I don’t know what it is, because those in charge aren’t talking, but I know it’s happening nonetheless.”

“What makes you think something is going on?” Stryker asked.

“Bob never should have been fired for one. He’s one of the best accountants we have. Hell, he practically keeps us afloat. His numbers are always accurate, and for an accountant, that’s a dream. In all the time he worked at Bixby and Kent, he’s never had to double check his numbers. All of our clients rave about him.”

“So, why was he fired then?” I asked.

“I don’t know, and that’s what concerns me. It’s only been a few days and already we’ve had two clients terminate our services once they learned Bob was no longer with the company. They refuse to work with anyone else.”

“Have you talked to Mrs. Staudemeyer?” That’s who I’d be questioning. “She’s the one who gave Bob his walking papers.”

Again, Clarence got a pinched look on his face. “My father sent her on a cruise around the world.”

“Okay,” I said. I was incredibly disappointed that I wouldn’t be able to rip the woman’s head off. “And this upsets you why?”

“My father hates Mrs. Staudemeyer. Can’t stand her. The only reason he keeps her around is because she’s been with the company for a very long time and she knows where all the bodies are buried.”

I raised an eyebrow at that statement. I didn’t think Clarence meant literal bodies, but still. “Blackmail?”

“I’m not sure. My father hasn’t always been lily-white. He made some bad deals with some really nasty men when he first started out. He promised me that all ended years ago, but now I’m starting to wonder.”

“Are you talking mob?” Stryker asked.

Clarence’s face was ashen as he shook his head. “No, worse.”

“What’s worse than the mob?”

I wanted to know that as well.

“The government.”

Fucking hell.

“Hey,” Stone said as he came rushing up to our table. “Sinclair texted me. He said for us to get our asses down to council headquarters.”

I rolled my eyes. “I don’t have time for—”

“He said Bob is being held there.”