Page 18 of In A Faraway Land

Dieter turned to go. “Thanks for the warning.”

“There’s more than one way to turn someone,” Theo said. “Bribery is the nice way.”

“What are you implying, Theo?”

He said, “You should stay away from Wulf von Hannover.”

“Don’t threaten me, asshole.”

“In my jurisdiction, in this county, I can have someone arrested and prosecuted for just about anything I want, and I would take you down if I felt like Wulf or Rae were in danger.”

“Thought you two didn’t like each other much.”

“We came to an understanding over drinks on theflight back from Europe.”

After Dieter had already quit, but Theo hadn’t been around Wulf’s Southwestern house in the meantime. “Well, good. I’m glad to know that someone else has his back, too. But no one’s turned me.”

“That’s surprising, considering Raphael Mirabaud’s history.”

“I’m not Raphael Mirabaud,” Dieter said, his teeth grinding in his mouth.

“I hope not. Raphael Mirabaud looks likea small-time thug who would sell his own family for a couple thousand dollars and not give a shit. It looks like he has no loyalty to anything or anybody.”

“That’s not me,” Dieter lied, his stomach sick.

“It looks like Raphael Mirabaud has some connections to some really despicable people.”

Dieter turned and braced his arms on Theo’s desk, leaning in and staring Theo straight in his pale browneyes. “I don’t think you’re in any position to judge family connections, are you, TheoValencia?”

Dieter had ordered a background check on Theo when Wulf had hired him to work on Flicka’s prenup, even before Theo had become engaged to one of Rae’s best friends. The check was more extensive than most and had utilized unconventional reporting sources. Dieter hadn’t liked what it had found becausepeople with criminal pasts can be blackmailed.

Theo’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t try me, Raphael.”

“Don’t call me that,” Dieter said, pushing off and walking away. “My name is not Raphael Valerian Mirabaud.”