Lenora Jordan was talking to me.
“This is my associate, Ms. Baylor,” Mad Rogan said.
“Can your associate speak for herself?”
“Yes, I can,” I said. What do you know, my mouth moved and words came out. I hadn’t thought they would. “Nice to meet you.”
Her gaze pinned me down. “My office has been trying to identify a young female who has been accompanying him on his reign of havoc. Are you that female?”
“Yes.”
“How are you involved with him?”
“I’ve been tasked by my parent company to convince Adam Pierce to surrender himself to his House.”
Lenora Jordan’s eyebrows rose.
“MII,” Mad Rogan said.
“What are your qualifications for this job?” she asked.
“I’m expendable,” I said.
Lenora frowned. “Sounds like Augustine. Okay, let’s hear it. All of it.”
We sat down, and Mad Rogan and I took turns explaining the situation. When we finished, Lenora held out her hand. Rogan produced the artifact and placed it on her palm. The DA studied it for a long moment.
“Have your people reached any conclusions?” she asked.
“It’s magic. It’s inert. It’s indestructible,” Mad Rogan said. “We dipped it in acid. We blowtorched it. I couldn’t break it.”
Lenora’s eyebrows rose again. “You personally?”
Mad Rogan nodded.
She turned the piece of jewelry in her hands. The diamonds caught the light, glowing weakly. “This doesn’t fit Adam’s MO. He’s impulsive and impatient. Last year he set a bouncer on fire because he tossed Adam out of the club. Then Adam got roaring drunk, high, and partied until dawn so hard that when we came to get him in the morning he barely remembered the incident. What we have here is complicated and done in stages. It took careful planning and preparation. To what end? Ms. Baylor, has he said anything to you?”
“He enjoys setting things on fire and embarrassing his House, his mother especially,” I said. “He didn’t give me the impression that there was anything larger going on, but clearly his actions are part of some complicated plan. He also led me on, because as long as I kept reporting back that he and I were communicating, House Pierce sat on their hands.”
“The attack on your family is the only thing that doesn’t fit.” Lenora tapped her nails on the desk. “And he hasn’t contacted you since in person?”
“No.”
“Someone is controlling him,” Lenora said. “Why? He could’ve quietly gathered the pieces, but instead he is creating a huge public spectacle every time. For what purpose is this being done?”
“It’s classic destabilization,” Mad Rogan said. “People don’t feel safe, law enforcement appears incompetent, and public sentiment toward the Houses plummets. It reminds people what we can do if we choose to disregard the law. Most people find that uncomfortable.”
That was a surprising analysis, coming from him.
“Nobody is above the law, Rogan,” Lenora said. “Not even you.”
“So you tell me,” he said.
She sighed. “I will check with Homeland Security to see if any of the anti-Houses terrorist groups could be involved. But it would take a hell of a personality to rein in Adam Pierce and make him follow a plan. Many have tried and failed.”
“Lenora.” Mad Rogan leaned forward. “He needs this trinket. He has at least one, possibly both, although I doubt it.”
“He would’ve made another production out of getting the third piece,” I agreed.
“He will be coming for it,” Mad Rogan said.
“Are you questioning the integrity of my office?” Lenora asked him. Her voice was amused, but her eyes weren’t.
If she looked at me like that, I’d probably get out of my chair and hide behind it. Mad Rogan didn’t even blink.
“I’m trying to account for all possibilities. If he gets the three pieces together, he will become a pillar of flame. If his current pattern is consistent, he will do it somewhere public. In front of this building or in front of House Pierce. Somewhere where population is dense.”
“I count on you to make sure this doesn’t happen,” she said.
“But if it does, there will need to be an evacuation,” Mad Rogan said. “You and I both know how difficult it would be.”
“You want me to issue a terrorist alert.” Lenora leaned back. “You do realize that the advisories are not given lightly. There is a great deal of weight and planning that comes with it. I have to coordinate with the Office of Homeland Security, National Guard, and FBI. Not to mention the Houses will lose their collective minds.”
“It’s your call,” Mad Rogan said. “But keep in mind: this is real. It’s happening. I don’t want us to be caught unawares.”
“I’ll think about it,” Lenora Jordan said.
We made it outside without being arrested.
Mad Rogan looked at the building and shook his head.
“What?”
“The next time we see that trinket, Adam Pierce will be wearing it.”
“I think she’ll take good care of it.”
“Not as good as when it’s locked in one of my vaults.”
We started across the street.
My phone beeped. I glanced at the text message. Arrived in Austin. Checked into hotel. Tell Rogan thank you for escort.
“Did you send an escort with my family?”
“Yes. They’re a target.”
“How did you know they would be leaving?”
“My people saw them load up, called me, and I told them to follow.”
Duh. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I plan to hold them hostage until you sleep with me.”
I stumbled.
He turned and gave me a brilliant, impossibly handsome smile. “Just kidding.”
Damn it.
“Have lunch with me,” Rogan said.
“No.”
“Nevada, you should have lunch with me. Somewhere public where we could be easily seen. It would also help if you pretended to enjoy yourself. Throw your hair back and smile. Perhaps even giggle girlishly.”
I paused. “Baiting the hook for Mr. Pierce?”
“Yes.”
It wasn’t a bad idea. I didn’t mind being bait if it netted me Pierce, not even a little bit. “Bern . . .”
“Do you think your cousin would rather sit in a car, watch you, and risk being fried by that half-baked lunatic, or play with Bug’s new setup in complete safety at my compound?”