Chapter 70

Chapter 70 of We Solve Murders delves into Rob Kenna’s unsettling reflections on his profession, his shifting priorities, and the dangers that lie ahead. As he sits in a dimly lit Dubai apartment, he contemplates how effortless it is to eliminate a person, particularly within the prison system, where violence is an everyday occurrence. His latest assignment, the execution of Courtney Lewis, a woman entangled in François Loubet’s financial operations, weighs heavily on his mind. While he has taken many lives before, this particular task feels different. It raises questions he does not want to answer—questions about trust, betrayal, and whether he himself is at risk of being discarded like so many before him. A realization dawns on him: working for Loubet is like dancing on a razor’s edge, and he might already be bleeding.

His paranoia begins to manifest more vividly as he shifts his attention to Amy Wheeler, someone who, if left unchecked, could become a formidable adversary. He wonders if she has started connecting the dots, and if so, whether she will make a move against him. Amy is far from alone—she has allies like Rosie D’Antonio, a sharp-minded writer, and Steve Wheeler, a former police officer with enough experience to be dangerous. These thoughts send a chill through him. With Eddie Flood no longer in the picture, Rob reaches an unsettling conclusion: if Amy is truly a threat, then it is up to him to neutralize her before she can act against him. The idea settles in his mind like an undeniable truth, and for the first time in a long while, he feels the cold grip of fear at his throat.

In an effort to momentarily escape his troubling thoughts, Rob meets with Mickey Moody, a longtime acquaintance who provides a welcome, albeit temporary, distraction. Over two pints of beer, their conversation shifts between casual reminiscing and discussions about work. Rob tries to recruit Mickey, offering him a lucrative role in tracking Amy’s movements, but Mickey refuses. He has seen too many people get swallowed up by the kind of world Rob inhabits, and he has no desire to become another casualty. Rob respects his decision, though deep down, he envies Mickey’s ability to live a life untouched by constant bloodshed. Their brief exchange highlights the stark contrast between two men who started in similar places but chose vastly different paths.

However, Rob cannot afford to dwell on what-ifs. His survival depends on information and control, both of which he has learned to wield with precision. He has set up alerts to monitor Amy’s social media interactions, particularly through her association with Rosie D’Antonio, whose public presence makes tracking easier. The fact that Amy remains within reach reassures him, reinforcing his belief that he is always one step ahead. But the weight of his profession bears down on him, reminding him that in this line of work, trust is fleeting, and loyalty is nothing more than a transactional agreement. With this in mind, he considers expanding his list of targets, even contemplating the elimination of Amy’s father-in-law, Steve Wheeler, to ensure no lingering threats remain.

As the chapter draws to a close, Rob finds himself staring out over the Dubai skyline, absorbing the shimmering lights of a city built on wealth and deception. He knows that despite his confidence, Loubet may not see him as an indispensable asset forever. If his employer decides he is no longer useful, he will become just another expendable name on a list. But for now, he refuses to let fear dictate his actions. He will eliminate his targets, remove the threats, and prove his worth—at least, until the day comes when he finds himself on the other end of a gun.