Page 123 of Our Daughter's Bones

“Did you send Eddy to threaten Abby?”

“You can’t prove anything.”

She knew that Eddy was a loyal dog. He wouldn’t say a word against the hand that had been feeding him for years. “The FBI have been consulting on this case, and helped uncover all the evidence we have on your illegal alcohol trade in Washington. We know about Magnus Pharma and the other shell corporations you’ve set up to launder money for Atleum Holdings. You’d be wise to help the authorities in any way you can right now, but I can just tell the Feds to keep on digging right away.”

He let out a single bite of laughter. “I never get the appeal of sassy redheads. They’re so unattractive.”

“That bad Botox will look even worse in prison.” She pulled out her phone, ready to dial, but Bishop interrupted her.

“Wait.”

“Ready to cooperate now?” Nick raised an eyebrow.

“I didn’t tell Eddy tothreatenthat girl. I told him to just have a chat with her. I’m a married man. You wouldn’t want your sex tape with a prostitute broadcasted, would you? Especially with Nathaniel Jones in charge of the media here. He and Perez are thick as thieves. They would just love to ruin me.”

“What did Eddy tell you about theirchat?”

“He called me after and told me that she was in a rush to leave,” he shrugged.

“But you didn’t hurt her?”

“Why would I? They stopped blackmailing me after Eddytalkedto them. Want a drink?”

“Got any Tequiza?” Mackenzie said. Bishop narrowed his eyes at that and headed inside. They followed. “We know it’s been distributed to strip joints in the state. We want to know if there are any private collectors.”

Bishop smirked, pouring himself a bourbon. “Who collectsTequiza? It’s worth nothing. Just used to save money on cocktails.”

“Why don’t you leave that to us? We need names and delivery addresses,” Nick said.

“I don’t know about that.” Bishop took a sip and scrunched his nose. Turning the glass in his hand, he looked thoughtful and calm. But the rampant twitching of his eye gave him away. “I’m not admitting anything about this alleged trade. I employ hundreds of people. Anyone could have started something illegal and funneled the money back to Atleum. No doubt they’ll funnel it back out to themselves from there—I’m a victim here too.”

“Good point. Why don’t we ask the FBI to open an investigation right away to help find the perpetrator, and watch your stocks fall?”

“Fine,” he grumbled and slammed his glass on a table. “I need time to get all that. I don’t have that information. I have people who work for me.”

“We need one more thing,” Mackenzie said. “Lose Eddy Rowinski.”

“No.”

“He’s a liability. Do you really want to keep bailing his ass out of jail and paying Cromwell and Haskin out of your pocket?”

“Why do you care about him? I told you he just talked to that girl.”

Black dots spotted Mackenzie’s vision. She blinked to clear away the blur. But for the fraction of a second her eyes were closed, she saw Clara’s face. She saw her lying on the floor, her skin matted with bruises. Wondering where she went wrong. Wondering if life would give her another chance.

“If you don’t get rid of him, then not only will the FBI be knocking on your door but also that video will end up with Nathaniel Jones. You see, we know how to retrieve deleted files.”

“Eddy has been very helpful to me these past few years––”

“I don’t give a damn. You have enough on him to let him go.”

Bishop took a sharp breath. “Are you threatening me, Detective Price?”

“I’m making a deal and giving you an out,” she said with a scathing smile. “My threats aren’t this civilized. Trust me.”

Bishop gulped down his entire drink while keeping his eyes locked on Mackenzie. He exhaled in her face—she knew it was a bratty attempt to rattle her. He waited for her to show a sign of weakness, to cave. Instead, she took a deep breath. Little did he realize that it was the smell she’d known since she was a child.

“Fine. See yourself out.”