Novels by Rholle Petz

"How is the child holding up?" Jake asked Viktor Grey over the phone while he fixed his attention on Stacy. The little child was obviously terrified, and the constant dripping of water from the leaking pipes made her even more unsettled."She is coping better than I imagined. Now all that is left is for us to kill that bastard cop and Oliver with it," Viktor Grey said to him."I know that Oliver will reach out soon. And when he does, I will be ready for him. You have dozens of my men to guard you there. You will be fine," Jake told Viktor Grey and then hung up. As soon as he did, Viktor returned his attention to Stacy.She whimpered and dragged herself back as he approached her..he had a wicked laugh on his face."Don't be afraid little one. I will not hurt you. I just want to hurt your daddy and the man he works with. You see, I used to have a daughter like you. Her name was Elina. She was very beautiful and she was brilliant. But the man your daddy works with killed her and so, I wa

"This can be a trap. Tell me why I must believe you," Oliver asked her and Beth sighed. She could not believe that she was making some sort of negotiation with Oliver."Left for me, you will be behind bars right now. But I am doing this for Steven and I am breaking my code to do it so do not make it harder than it already is," she said to him and Oliver smiled."I like you. Come with me," he told her and then led her to his study. Miranda was there clicking furiously on the systems there.. when Beth approached, she stopped what she was doing and then gazed at Beth for a while."Miranda, meet Beth, Beth Miranda. She's our eyses in the sky. I have a feeling that you'll both be friends. Beth, tell me where you think Stacy is," Oliver asked."Somewhere in St Lambert's City. The tiger gang has a secret hideout in St Lambert's that they use for various dangerous activities. My best guess would be that they brought her here to avoid suspicion from the cops. Besides, it was probably a diversi

"Heard what?" Oliver could feel his anger rising. The heat in the room suddenly increased and when he approachd Pascal, Pascal jerked back to avoid the possible punch that was coming his way "I did not know about Mia. I am really sorry Oliver. I am broken beyond what you can imagine. And I am furious! I am so furious that I wan to vent my anger on someone and I don't know who," Pascal said to him."And why are you here then? To vent your anger on me?" Oliver asked while raising his eyebrow. Pascal sighed defeated as his shoulders dropped."No, not at all. I just came here to help you in your mission.. I know that you will not sit tight and watch those who killed her be at peace. I know that you will destroy them. So I want to join you. Please Oliver forgive me. I need your forgiveness. I know that I do not deserve it but I just want you to please forgive me," he said to oliver. Oliver did not feel his anger subside, not even for a moment. He gazed at Pascal again and Wondered what mi

"No, fuck! This cannot he happening to me!" Steven tried to breath as the words found their way out of his mouth but he just could not fathom the degree of pain that he was feeling. Anger would not help him at that time he thought. Jake had decided to Target his family and the only way that he was getting his family back was if met Jake's forces with one that was equal to the task, or if he surrenders.Steven quickly took the phone. He dialed Oliver's number and waited for him to pick up the phone."Steven," Oliver said as soon as he picked us up."Oliver. He has my daughter. That bastard has taken my daughter and I do not know what to do. He said he'll send me a location to meet with him and I have to decide whether or not I'll give my life for her," Steven blurted out."Take it easy Steven. Nothing will happen to your daughter or to you. I will ensure it," Oliver told him."But what can you do? Jake said that you cannot help me. My only option is to die for my daughter to live. I ha

"Like we said earlier, we do not allow anyone without an invitation to pass. I don't care if you are the chief of police. You are not stepping into this house," the guard repeated and that made Steven to wonder just how bad it is that the police force in Marshtown had fallen. If they could have no respect for his badge, then he just had to beat the living shit out of them"Let me pass. I will not ask you again," Steven said to the guards. One of them brought out his gun and gazed at Steven with fierce eyes."You need to leave now, mister or we will have a oribkemy," he said to Steven and just as Steven was about to make a move at them, the front door opened.. it was the judge"Let him through. He and I have some catching up to do," the judge said and the bodyguards let Steven pass. Steven followed the judge to The living room and there the judge settled himself into a chair. He even appeared to be Richer than he was some months ago."I can see that you are back from the dead, Steven.

"Chief, what are you doing here?" Steven asked the chief as he slowly approached him. The chief paid close attention to the files that was in Steven's hands and then his eyes roamed to Steven's."Don't tell me you still plan on pursuing that case. I told you it was dangerous, Steven and you do not want to listen to me. That case will get you killed," the chief said and Steven dropped the files in his hand. He paid a closer look to the chief and for real he could see worry in the man's face."I don't understand. Why are you telling me all of this?" He asked the chief really desperate for answers. The chief sighed."When the tiger gang found out that you were following them, they planned to have you killed. They reached out to me and asked me to do the job otherwise they would kill my family. I tried to beg them but they were adamant. They would not take no for an answer. So, I made up my mind about you," the chief stopped, and then observed the dark face that Steven was wearing at that

Jensen was already awake when Osei's piece went live.He'd been awake for an hour, which wasn't unusual -- his sleep had been lighter since Alfred's discharge, the habit of someone who'd been monitoring too many moving parts for too long and hadn't fully adjusted to fewer of them requiring urgent attention. He lay in the dark and waited for his phone to show him the notification he knew was coming, and when it came he read the piece one final time with the particular attention of someone reading something they'd already read but which now carried the weight of being real rather than pending.It was good. Better in publication than in draft, which was the way good journalism worked -- the final edit had sharpened two paragraphs in the middle section and the headline was precise without being inflammatory.*How Marcus Crane Built a Shadow Network Inside the City's Financial Infrastructure -- And Who Paid the Price*Jensen read it through to the end, which he'd read before and which land

Coleman arrived at Whitmore at eight in the morning wearing a jacket Jensen had not seen before.Not new exactly -- the fabric had the quality of something bought carefully rather than expensively, the jacket of someone who'd gone to a shop with a budget and a purpose and had found what they needed without pretending the budget was larger than it was. Jensen noticed it because he'd noticed Coleman's jacket situation for four years and this was a departure from the pattern.Coleman noticed Jensen noticing."Don't say anything," Coleman said."I wasn't going to say anything," Jensen said."You were going to say something about the jacket.""I was going to say good morning," Jensen said.Coleman looked at him. "Good morning," he said, with the tone of someone conceding a point they'd raised themselves.Geena met them in the reception area and shook Coleman's hand with the directness she brought to first meetings -- no excess warmth, no performance of welcome, just the handshake of someon

Charlotte had chosen their usual table, which he noted, and she had coffee in front of her that she'd been nursing rather than drinking, which he also noted. She looked up when he came through the door and the expression on her face was the one she wore when she'd made a decision and was past the making of it.He sat down. Ordered coffee. Waited.She wrapped both hands around her cup."After my mother died," she said, "I was sixteen. There was no money, no family that would take me in, and the debt she'd accumulated through the stepfather's gambling had transferred to me through a clause in the estate process that I didn't understand when I signed the document that transferred it." She paused. "I signed it because someone told me I had to in order to access the small amount of savings she had left, and I needed that money to eat, so I signed."Jensen said nothing."I moved into a house with four other girls," Charlotte said. "East side. The woman who ran the house found girls who were

The location Jensen chose was Alfred's house.Not Whitmore. Not a neutral club or a hotel room or any of the spaces that existed specifically for conversations nobody wanted witnessed. Alfred's house, because the conversation that needed to happen was about what had occurred inside it twenty-two years ago, and there was a precision to having it there that Jensen thought mattered.Crane arrived alone, which told Jensen that Crane had understood the terms for what they were -- not a negotiation requiring representation, but a reckoning requiring only the people the reckoning was between.He was in his early sixties, trim, with the face of someone who'd spent decades presenting one version of himself to rooms while holding another in reserve. Jensen had seen him at the charity dinner from across a large space. Up close, the face was more readable than it had been at distance -- the control was visible as control rather than naturalness, which was what happened when the thing being contro

The examiner made contact but not with Jensen, not with Geena, not with anyone connected to the referral. He contacted the fund directly, which was the correct procedural sequence, and he asked for documentation relating to the secondary position that Farren's escalation had flagged. The request was formal, politely worded, and required a response within five business days.Seth found out about it through Farren, who sent a message to a number Jensen had given her through Geena -- a number that existed specifically for this kind of communication, untraceable back to anything that would complicate the examination's independence.The message was three words: *He made contact.*Jensen read it at the Whitmore audit room, where the compressed timeline had produced an atmosphere of focused, slightly caffeinated urgency that he found he didn't mind being in. The audit team had accepted the three-day target with the resignation of people who'd been asked for impossible things before and had l

His name was Piers Adlan.Seth had put together a clean summary -- forty-four years old, structural finance background, twelve years building vehicles for people who needed things held at arm's length from their primary positions. He was good at the technical work. The summary made that clear. What it also made clear was that the work had gradually moved him further from the kind of structures he'd been trained to build and closer to the kind that required not looking too carefully at what they were holding.Jensen read the summary in the car on the way.Fae drove. Seth sat in the passenger seat and said nothing, which was how Seth prepared for things that required presence without instruction.The route Piers took from school back to the office was consistent. Same streets, same turns, nothing varied. People with routines had them because routines were the way you managed the cognitive overhead of a life with too many moving parts, and Piers Adlan's life had developed considerable mo

Oliver drove back home, his mind filled with the thoughts of his discussion with his father. Oliver was certain that he would take a drastic step soon, but he still wanted to give his father the benefit of doubt.Perhaps he would come around, and leave his evil ways behind. Despite being angry, Oliver still chosed to forgive his father should he ask for it. However, in the absence of that, Henry would have to face whatever consequences that came his way.As soon as Oliver drove into his mansion, he immediately perceived the smell of q very pleasant cooking. He arched his brows as he stepped down from the car and gradually walked into the mansion. His servants all greeted him while he went inside. "Welcome back darling. How was your day?" Geena asked while Oliver slowly settled his car key on the table. He approached her, attempting to kiss her but she took a step back and giggled."Stop… I'm still wearing an apron," she replied and walked away. "What's the occasion, love? You always

"Why do we need to meet?" Oliver asked Harry who chuckled over the phone. Oliver stood up, and walked to the window, taking in a view of the city."I want us to catch up, son. There are things that I have been able to figure out while I was in the shadows. I want to share them with you," Harry said."It's a little too late to try and be a father, don't you think so?" Oliver asked Harry. "Look, just come to me, let's talk it over. I'm at the Louvre Resort. I'll keep a reservation for you," Harry replied and Oliver hung up.Although he was angry, Oliver wanted to know what his father had in store. Something told him that Harry had tricks up his sleeves and Oliver did not want to be caught unawares. So when he was done with the day's work, Oliver drove back home to change into something casual. He wanted to avoid detection and going in in a disguise was the best thing to do.Oliver drove to the Louvre Resort and parked his car. He stepped down, approached the building and entered insid

It's been twelve hours since Oliver gave Oscar the mission. And during that time, a doctor had stopped over to check Geena out. She was in a good condition.Oliver's father didn't call or show up. It was like he had disappeared all over again. Oliver was not anxious, for he knew that the man would resurface again."He has a plan and I must figure it out," Oliver said to himself. Then , his phone rang. It was Oscar. Oliver picked up the phone."Oscar?" He said."Boss. I couldn't find anything on your father," Oscar said to Oliver. Oliver arched his brow."What do you mean by that?" He asked Oscar who sighed."It's like he didn't even exist until yesterday. Everything registered under his name dates back to his time of death. And no camera was able to capture his face or anything all this time," Oscar said to Oliver. Oliver nodded."I'll take it from here, Oscar," Oliver said and hung up. As expected, Oliver knew his father would cover his tracks. What was the man up to? Was he even a s

The older man approached Oliver with a smile on his face. Oliver froze as he gazed at his father, a million questions rushing through his head at that moment"Son, you look like you've seen a ghost," Harry, Oliver's dad said to him with the same creepy smile. Geena observed the drama, and the hush that hung in the hair was haunting."Dad? How are you here? You died," Oliver said to Harry who smiled. Then, his eyes roamed to Geena and he stared at her for some time."Oliver, can I speak with you alone?" He asked, still glaring at Geena. Oliver arched his brow while his father kept gazing at his girlfriend. He turned to Geena and she nodded. As Osiris took her upstairs, Harry walked to the mini bar in the living room, his fingers trailing every bit of furniture in the place."It's just like I remember. Nothing has changed. You've done a good job taking care of the house, Oliver," Harry said but Oliver was over the shock now. "Dad, I want answers. What happened to you?" Oliver questio

"Found you!"Oliver smiled as he pinned the mafia's location. He now had what he needed to save Geena and end the mafia once and for all. Oliver stepped out of the tech room and immediately found Ludacris standing there with a worried look on his face."Boss, have you found the mafia yet?" Ludacris asked him and Oliver nodded while raising his brow."Where is he?" Ludacris asked him again. Oliver crossed his arms and stared at Ludacris."You tell me," Oliver said to him. Ludacris let out a nervous chuckle."I don't understand, boss. What do you mean?" He asked in response."What does the mafia have on you, Ludacris? I know that you are the spy. You'd betray me like that? And Jamie, did you lead Jamie to his death?" Oliver fumed.Ludacris knew that he was done for. There was no way he could deny what was so obvious. He sighed and walked toward a couch to take his seat."He wasn't supposed to be there. Jamie was at the right place at the wrong time. I had no other choice but to turn hi

"I am disappointed in you, Dominick. How could you confess to attempted murder?" Tim, Cara's father, admonished Dominick in the interrogation room.They had bribed the police to come in and speak with Dominick themselves. Cara was there as well, an exasperated look written on her face."Confessing to the crime is better than Oliver Blaze finding me. He killed my assassin, Tim. Do you know what that means? I'm like a cockroach waiting to be snapped!" Dominick replied to the older man."I warned you against picking a fight against Oliver Blaze in the first place. But you didn't listen. Look what that has gotten you," Cara said to Dominick and rolled her eyes. He looked confused. So many things were going through his mind at the same time."Why are you both here? Cara has already broken up with me. Did you just come to gloat now that I have nothing?" Dominick asked Tim and he laughed."Or are you here to help me? Any form of help would be appreciated! You know I'll restore both our compa

EpilogueIt's been five years since Lecter defeated Bruce that fateful night. And from that timeframe, a lot of things had happened."Dad, we'll miss the show. We have to go now," Liana, Lecter's daughter called out from the car.Anna smiled while Lecter approached with a briefcase at hand."I can tell them to come perform for you here at the mansion, my princess," Lecter said to Liana but she rolled her eyes and pouted."It wouldn't be the same, dad. I want to watch the show with my friends too," Liana replied."Your daughter is very stubborn, Lecter James," Anna stretched forth her hand and took the briefcase from Lecter before he proceeded to kiss her lips."I wonder where she got that from," Lecter said sarcastically and Anna scoffed. They soon got into the car and zoomed off. Along the way, Lecter's phone rang. It was the president."Mr President, you honor me with your call," Lecter said."Mr James. I want to personally thank you for what you did for our country. We would have

Rachel’s eyes widened, genuine fear finally breaking through her tough exterior. She was ready to burst into tears when Bruce turned back to her, his gun still in hand. “See what happens to those who cross me? Want to be part of them?” He asked angrily. Before Rachel could respond, the door burst open. Lecter stormed in, his presence filling the room with an electric charge. “Bruce!” He shouted, his voice echoing off the walls. Bruce turned, gun raised, ready to face his nemesis. “Lecter. Finally decided to show your face? You’ve been hiding behind her all this while, haven’t you?”Lecter’s eyes were cold, calculating. “This ends now, Bruce. No more games.” Bruce laughed, a harsh, mirthless sound. “You think you can take me down? You’re a fool to think so, Lecter.” Lecter moved with lightning speed, closing the distance between them in a heartbeat. He knocked the gun from Bruce’s hand, sending it skidding across the floor. The two men clashed in a brutal hand to

Bruce stared out the window of Raphael's former office, which was now his own. The city was alive before him, a web of lights and life, oblivious to the power struggles that took place within its own shadows.He had fought hard to get where he was, as far as he was concerned, taking over Raphael's organization after the old boss's untimely demise. But victory felt hollow. Ursula, his sister, had deserted him, leaving him to run the business alone. He scowled, thinking of her betrayal.And besides, he had bigger fish to fry. Lecter. That bastard had managed to slip from his hands the other day, but he wouldn’t be so lucky next time. The door to the office opened, and Bruce turned, expecting one of his new underlings. Instead, Rachel walked in, and Cecil came in after her. He gave Cecil a questioning look, and he responded with shaking his head, so he turned back to Rachael. Her presence was like a punch to the gut. He hadn't seen her since their last heated argument, and her sudden

Lecter picked up the phone. “Lecter, it's Rachel.” She said hurriedly. “I know where Bruce is. He's at an old warehouse on the east side of the city.” “Are you sure?” Lecter asked, his heart pounding. He was ready to give up all his wealth for Anna. “Positive.” Rachel replied. “I’ve been following him. He doesn't know I'm onto him yet.” “Thank you, Rachel. I owe you.” “A million dollars, I’m sure. Just get them out safe.” Rachel said. “I'll keep an eye out and make sure he doesn't slip away.” Lecter hung up and called his bodyguards. “We have a location. I’ll send the coordinates now, move out immediately!” As Lecter and his men sped towards the warehouse, he felt nothing but anger and fear. He couldn’t lose Anna and Mia, especially not to Bruce. Not like this, at least.- - - Bruce was in full panic mode now. He knew it was only a matter of time before Lecter arrived. He looked at Anna and Mia, who were watching him in silence. “What are we going to do?” Cecil ask

Lecter sat in his upper minimalist office that gave him the best view in the city. The large window that went roof to floor made him feel like he had the entire world at his feet, and currently, that was how he felt. He had just closed a multi million dollar deal and was ready to call it a day when his phone rang. The caller ID showed a number that looked familiar, but he hadn't seen in a while. His brows furrowed as he picked up. “Lecter here.” He said, his voice cold. “Hello, old friend.” Came the reply, cold as ice. Lecter's heart skipped a beat. It was Bruce. “What do you want, Bruce?” Lecter asked Cooley. “Straight to the point as always. See, I have something— or rather, someone that belongs to you.” Bruce said, a sinister chuckle following his words. “Two someones, actually.” He laughed like a maniac. Lecter’s grip on the phone tightened. “What are you talking about?” “You might know Anna and Mia.” Bruce said casually, as if he was just discussing the weather.

Raj's hands trembled as he dialed Anna's number. He had been trying to reach Mia for hours, but her phone went straight to voicemail. He was getting worried."Anna, it's Raj. I need your help," he said, trying to keep his voice calm.Anna's concerned tone was immediate. "Raj, what's wrong?""It's Mia. She left the house a few hours ago to meet with Detective Bruce, but she's not responding to my calls or messages. I'm getting really worried."Anna's pause was brief. "I'll try to reach her. Can you tell me more about what happened?"Raj explained how Mia had been acting strange lately, and how she had received a mysterious message that had shaken her. He told Anna about Mia's decision to meet with Detective Bruce, hoping to uncover some answers."I should have gone with her," Raj said, regret creeping into his voice.Anna reassured him. "You did the right thing, Raj. Mia needed some space. But now, let's focus on finding her."Raj's anxiety grew as Anna went silent, presumably trying t