Do Or Die

"Molly has a recital coming up. She's going to be a bunch of grapes."

Mat smiled.

Lincoln placed the photos and documents relating to the investigation of Audrianna's kidnapping into the folders. "Between them and the financials I can't begin to call my time at home a "staycation," even."

Mat relaxed, placing his arm to rest on top of the headrest. "I thought Bob was helping."

"Yeah, but they are still my kids. I can't slough them off on my lover."

"Lincoln." The waiter came and placed the drinks on the table.

"Thanks, man." Lincoln placed the two next to his empty one.

"I'll have a beer in the bottle." Mat ordered.

Lincoln gave him a quizzical glance.

"I'm off the clock until my flight arrives in New Mexico in about three days."

Lincoln finished off his drink.

"Have you given any thought to Mexico?"

"Other than everything else, Mexico is always on my mind."

Mat nodded. "Just be sure," he paused, "to be prepared." Mat looked down. "Best get started early on that."

Lincoln looked at him, suspicion in his eyes. "You couldn't be more cryptic."

Lincoln threw back his other drink as Mat's beer was delivered.

"Is Viktor planning something?"

Mat took a sip of his beer. "I can't say."

Lincoln looked interested.

"I can't say, except that Viktor is my boss and you should just look to getting all your ducks in a row, dot your Ts and cross your Is until you get cross-eyed. This year is gonna be the shit-stinger of all time."

Lincoln tapped the rim of one glass with another, lost in thought.

"Plus," Mat rolled the beer bottle around with his hand, his eyes shuttered. "You know how you said that you get the idea that Viktor can't do as he'd like to with his wife on board."

Lincoln's hand stilled. "You think he might try to push her out."

"I'm thinking that she carries a lot of leverage, and that irks a lot of people. If someone tries to push her out, he won't stand in their way." Mat drained his beer. "He's thinking the best way to keep her safe is to keep her out."

Lincoln kneaded his furrowed brow with his fingers, squeezing his eyes.

Dammit, Lincoln thought. Audrianna was a real asset to the company, and with a PhD in management information systems she had spearheaded many successful global mergers as the Chief Information Officer. The kidnapping must have Viktor nervous for her safety. But being CIO she was also Viktor's "right hand man," so to speak, and was often the only tie-breaker left when it came to decision-making. Coupled with the fact that she was also his wife, that made her an easy target for animosity.