Page 167 of Nash Falls

To her quick-witted credit, Parker also subtly moved to her right to block the view of the framed photo on the wall that Nash hadseen on his last visit here, of Ty Nash and Shock. “I don’t know anyone named Shock.”

“But that was just a nickname.”

“I still don’t know him.”

“But I understood that he was at the funeral service. This big Black guy who said some nasty things about Walt. That had to be this Shock guy. Weren’t you at the funeral?”

Parker didn’t chance looking at Nash again. “Of course, yes, that’s right, a tall Black man. He did say some terrible things about Walter at the service. I guess I’d just blocked it out of my mind. It was awful.”

“But you don’t know who he is?” asked Rhett.

“No, I mean he’s never been around here before. Ty obviously knew him, but I only knew Ty for two years before he died. I didn’t get a chance to meet most of his old friends.”

“Did his father ever mention any of his son’s friends?”

“They were estranged. Ty never spoke about him.”

Rhett looked crestfallen and slipped the letter back into his pocket. “Yeah, Walt did mention that to me. Okay, um, well, I guess that’s it.” He handed her a business card. “But if anything should occur to you, please call me. I will make it worth your while.”

She nodded curtly and shut the door.

Once they were back in the car Rhett turned to Nash. “Did it seem like she was acting a little odd?”

“Well, I thinkIwould have acted a little odd if someone had shown up on my doorstep and started asking those sorts of questions.”

“Yeah, I guess you’re right. But that’s okay. My private detectives will be able to track this Shock guy down.”

“And then what?”

“And then we pay him a visit.”

“You want to find Nash so the cops can arrest him?”

“If he did what he’s accused of, he should be in prison.”

“How often do you go over and check on his wife?”

Now Rhett gave Nash a dark stare. “You just pay attention to your job, Dillon. And I’ll worry about everything else. Understood?”

“Understood, Mr. Temple.”

Rhett glared at him for a moment before gunning the engine, and the Porsche’s turbos accelerated the car like a badass with a purpose.

CHAPTER

81

RHETT DROVE THEM TO THEestate in the hills and not back to the penthouse. Nash walked to his room two doors down from Rhett’s bedroom and across the hall from Mindy’s. He had passed her in the corridor, where she gave him a half-hearted smile.

He opened the closet and saw three suits in different colors hanging there, along with shirts. There were shoes underneath that fit his feet perfectly. Rhett had taken care of all of this, and had tailored clothing for him both here and at the penthouse. The drawers were filled with underwear and socks, other accessories, and more casual clothing.

Nash had no idea how much it had all cost, but with Rhett what did it really matter? He was in the rarefied position of never being able to spend even the interest on, much less the principal of, his wealth.

Nash took a few minutes to send off a long communication to Shock bringing him up to date on how they knew about him, and also that Nash was now Rhett’s bodyguard.

Just lay low until you hear from me. And I’m sorry to have brought this on you.

Shock’s almost immediate response was telling: Don’t worry about us. How are you doing? You ever need us, we are here for you.