Page 61 of Nash Falls

“But you really don’t even know me, Shock. I don’t think you evenlikeme.”

“I knew and loved your father. That’s enough.”

“He never told me how you got your nickname. He said I hadn’t earned the right to know.”

“Guess you didn’t then” was all Shock had to say about that.

“I… I have regrets too. If I had made more of an effort. If maybe he and I could have talked it out, because—”

“—because before that things were good between you two?”

“I feel like I pissed away over a quarter century’s worth of father-son adventures.”

“But your old man died lovin’ you, Walter.”

“That’s what he wrote, so I believe it.”

“Damn right,” said Shock. “Man’s word was his bond.”

“Still hard to believe I’m his son.”

“Why?”

“Because he was right. Iama prick.”

“No, you Ty Nash’s boy. And Ty Nash was the best friend I ever had. So I will always have your back, Walter. And you can take that to the fucken bank.”

CHAPTER

29

RHETT HAD BEEN SUMMONED AGAINby his father, so he made the trek out to the splendid estate nestled in the privacy of the hills. To him, the place looked moderately different in the daylight, like a forlorn castle instead of an angry prison.

On the drive out he thought about Nash looking to jump to another firm and wondered why he would want to. The man was making a great deal of money at Sybaritic. He was master of his own ship. But maybe not really, corrected Rhett. It could be the man wanted to be the top guy, not just a division leader. It could be as simple as that.

And maybe he is tired of carrying my water.

He was admitted to the mansion by the butler.

Rhett said, “What’s your name again? Hubert or Herbert?”

“It’s Colin, sir.”

“Right. How’s the old man? Good mood?”

“I wouldn’t begin to know, sir. He is as he always is.”

“And Mindy?”

“It’s not yet noon, so madam will not be up. She arrived back, I believe from France, last night.”

“Cannes, I heard.”

“If you say so. Your father is in his office. Shall I show you up, sir?”

“No, go back to polishing the silver. I know the way.”

Rhett jogged up the stairs and turned right, not left, because he wanted to see someone else first.