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“Finn says it was a rival—the O’Malleys—they were hoping he and I weren’t strong enough to run my father’s territory.”
I search his face, trying to figure out where he’s leading this conversation. “Okay.”
“I believe it was Finn.”
I scan his face and posture for any indication he’s bluffing. “Why?” Everything in the file we have at the bureau points in another direction. The information on Carys and Lorcan’s connection wasn’t right. Maybe the bureau’s intel on who killed his father is also wrong. Keeping them from going to war might be harder than expected.
“I have my suspicions. Nothing I want to lay out right now. Would you be interested in helping me get to the bottom of it?”
“Why me? I’d think anyone who works here could help you.”
“Carys speaks highly of you, said you’re good at adjusting to changing situations quickly. Finn trusts very few people. He likes women. He likes strong, independent women. We don’t have a lot of those inside the organization.” Lorcan clears his throat. “And if he thought he was taking something I wanted, that woman would appeal to him even more.” His words are deliberate, giving me a chance to mull them over.
“If I discover it was him?”
“We go to war.”
“If it was the O’Malleys?”
“We go to war.”
I scan bookcases on the right, reading titles, but not taking anything in. There’s a series of filing cabinets behind Lorcan’s desk I’m itching to explore, and there’s a lockbox on the wall.
Of course I’m going to say yes, but it won’t be easy to keep everything in order. If war lies in either direction, and my goal is to avoid it, creativity will be the key.
“Your life will most certainly be in danger.” He rocks back on his heels. “In this line of work, that’s a given, though.”
“I’m well paid for that risk with Carys.”
For a moment, silence sits between us. “I want what I want. I’ll pay you the same, and I’ll double it all if you find out who killed my father.”
“That’s quite an incentive. What sort of proof do you expect?”
“Let’s go with the criminal justice standard, shall we? Beyond a reasonable doubt.”
“The highest standard of proof. You’re not going to make it easy.”
“I’m not paying you like it’s easy.”
All this bartering is for nothing. Perhaps it’s time I folded. The money doesn’t matter to me. “I’m in.”
His lips quirk up, and his one dimple peeks through. “Excellent.”
“I’ll fly back to Chicago today.”
“I’ll have you booked on a flight back to Boston for tomorrow. Does that give you enough time to pack up?”
“I travel light.”
“Even better. You’ll have your own wing of the house, and I’ll set you up with tasks which look like responsibilities. But your focus will be figuring out who murdered my father.” He meets my gaze, his hazel eyes intense. “Point the finger. Wage the war.”
“I understand.” There would be no wars if I could help it.
As Lorcan reaches for the door to dismiss me, he hesitates and gives me a sideways glance. “I implied this, but I want to be clear what you’re getting involved in.”
“You need me to pretend we’re… something to each other.”
“Yes, eventually. Finn will be more likely to take an interest if he thinks he’s wooing you away from me.”