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Dave blinked. “Excuse me?”

“I know I had this conversation with Scarlett earlier and now you’re here looking for this paperwork your secretary conveniently lost?” Benji cocked a brow. “Be level with me.”

Kenny let out a breath. “Well, at least he got smart quick.”

"I think we should do this somewhere private because the implications behind what I am saying could potentially take down anyone in the vicinity of it." Plus, anyone who saw Maisie as a friend, could potentially blow what little case Dave could build for criminal prosecution.

“Where?” Benji said.

“The pub on Skyline. Meet us there in fifteen and use the alley entrance. Bring the file.” Kenny stood. “I need to stretch my legs.” He patted Dave’s shoulder as he started for the door.

Dave gave Benji a shrug. “We’ll take you not showing up as an accessory to the fact. See you in fifteen.” He strode from the office, his head held high and his heart hammering. God damn, it'd been a long time since he played the intimidation card. He'd been content to help businesses form plans and draw up the necessary paperwork for such. Being in that office... Shit, he wished he'd gone into criminal law.

When he met Kenny outside, the guy was leaned against his truck, taking a drag off of a cigarette. Kenny’s features were strained. His right hand had been balled into a tight fist and his posture radiated don’t-fuck-with-me. “We’re on.” Dave squeezed his shoulder. “Come on. Let’s get going. We’ll need a dark corner for this.”

Kenny grunted out an answer Dave didn't catch, and it was probably a good thing he didn't. They drove through town in silence until they pulled up to the pub and parked. Kenny turned to him. The strain rolling off of him did nothing to settle Dave's worries. "If he doesn't answer our questions, we go to the police with what we have. I don't give a shit how little is there. Scarlett won't spend another day under her sister's bullshit."

“Think I don’t understand where you are right now?” Dave asked. “I saw her right after the attack. Saw how her family treated her. Saw how her sister got all the praise while Scarlett was compared to Maisie. She had no life. None. That sanctuary is hers. It’s her curse and her salvation.”

“Then you agree?” Kenny popped a brow.

“Yeah, I agree. I would’ve done it even if you didn’t give your macho speech.”

Kenny laughed then groaned. “Shit. I feel like I have a million knots tied together inside me. When one loosens, another cinches down.”

Dave felt the same way. "Let's get inside and get set up. I hate to say it, but I think we should record the meeting."

“Yeah, the minute Benji finds out what Maisie has been doing and how much trouble she’s in, he might change his tune and deny everything.” Kenny popped open his door. “Then where would we be?”

“Right back at square one.” Dave climbed out on the passenger side and followed Kenny into the pub.

“Only we’d have information this time,” Kenny muttered as they stepped inside.

There in the back, with a single light above it, was a small booth big enough for the three of them. Dave nudged Kenny and they made their way to the back. While they sat and waited for Benji, he tried to collect his thoughts and figure out how to ask the questions they’d need to have answered before they could take everything to the DA.

With one phone call, everything had changed. The knowledge of how Scarlett had been treated by her family was always a tangible thing to Dave. However, the depravity of her sister, Maisie, destroyed what little respect he had left for the Leon family—minus Scarlett.

"Heads up looks like Benji wants to do the right thing," Kenny said, lifting his chin toward the entrance.

"We'll find out shortly, won't we?" Dave asked, turning slightly in his chair. "For all, we know he's here to tell us to fuck off."

“Wanna make a little wager?” Kenny teased.

Dave grinned. “You’re on.”

Chapter Seven

"So, obviously this isn't good," Dave said when Benji sat. "You know that now, don't you?"

Benji grimaced. “I sat there for a minute after you left and looked through the folder. I can’t believe we missed it.”

Kenny held up his hand. “We won’t entertain your pity party. Sorry.”

“Oh. Oh no. I didn’t mean it like that,” Benji said. “Not in the least. I’m angry. I feel... Dirty.”

Good. He should feel worse than dirty. Dave stared at Benji for a moment, sizing him up. “What are you going to do to fix it?”

“Whatever it takes.” Benji pushed the file toward Dave and Kenny. “The loan officer was Victory Griffen. She’s one of the top loan people at the bank. Looks like from what I can see, she’s done several smaller projects with Maisie including setting up a secondary account in Maisie’s name. Right now, the balance is four million.”