Knockemout, #3
Things We Left Behind
by Lucy Score
Contents
17
Overview
Lucian pressures jailed Duncan Hugo and learns Felix Metzer was tied to high-end madam Maureen Fitzgerald, a lead he wants to control before the FBI. When Hugo’s men menace Lucian’s staffer Holly, Lucian and Nolan retaliate by destroying an enforcer’s SUV. After comforting Karen, Lucian texts Sloane an appeals attorney contact. A late-night call turns intimate then self-sabotaging as Lucian pushes Sloane away.
Summary
Lucian and Nolan visit Duncan Hugo in prison. Using the threat of a transfer to a harsher facility, Lucian pressures Duncan for more than street-level intel on Felix Metzer and Anthony Hugo’s operations. Duncan, fearing Lucrum, finally mentions Felix’s high-end companion, Maureen Fitzgerald, implying a surprising connection outside typical criminal circles.
Outside, Lucian rushes to contact Maureen before the FBI, intent on shielding a valuable source. As Agent Idler keeps calling, Nolan volunteers to brief the FBI and references a newly uncovered shell company. Petula then reports that Holly was chased by men in a black Tahoe tied to a Hugo enforcer.
Tracking the SUV to a luxury condo, Lucian and Nolan mount an off-the-books retaliation. They vandalize and rig the enforcer’s vehicle, triggering an explosion that sends a clear message while arranging for Holly to receive a safer company car and police follow-up.
That evening, Lucian has frozen pizza and wine with Karen Walton, sharing grief-laced normalcy and memories of Simon. The visit steadies him, though thoughts of Sloane intrude. Later at home, Lucian texts Sloane the contact for an appeals attorney who is ready for her call.
Sloane checks on Holly and on Lucian’s state. On a late-night call, they banter and flirt, discussing the retaliation and Lucian’s anger. Desire and old patterns resurface, but Lucian ends the conversation harshly—“Don’t waste your time thinking about me”—then lies awake hating himself for the fresh damage between them.
Who Appears
- Lucian RollinsLeads prison interrogation, links Felix to Maureen, retaliates against Hugo’s men, supports Karen, then sabotages intimacy with Sloane.
- NolanJoins Lucian at prison, offers to handle FBI, helps destroy the enforcer’s SUV, provides steady backup and levity.
- Duncan HugoJailed son of Anthony Hugo; yields Felix’s link to Maureen under threat of transfer to Lucrum.
- Karen WaltonHosts Lucian for pizza and wine; shares grief-tinged normalcy after Simon’s death.
- Sloane WaltonTexts and calls Lucian about Holly and the appeal; flirts before he abruptly shuts her down.
- PetulaAlerts Lucian that Holly was chased; coordinates replacing Holly’s car and safety measures.
- HollyEmployee chased by men in a black Tahoe; shaken but safe after company response.
- Special Agent IdlerRepeatedly calls Lucian seeking updates; temporarily sidelined by Nolan.
- Maureen FitzgeraldHigh-end madam revealed as linked to Felix; a sensitive source Lucian wants to contact first.
- Felix MetzerMurdered fixer; Duncan reveals his connection to Maureen, widening the investigation’s scope.
- Anthony HugoCrime boss; his men intimidate Holly, prompting Lucian’s explosive retaliation.
- LinaColleague looped into office updates; relays Holly incident to Sloane.