Page 38 of The Fallen Man

“Observation of a thing changes a thing. Even looking for dirt can stir the waters. But yeah, I think I need to do it. I can’t shake the feeling that all of this is connected to Granger and Absolex,and nothing good ever came out of that hornet’s nest.”

“Agreed,” said Evan.

“She may not be able to avoid involving us, though,” said Jackson, looking thoughtfully at the ceiling. “Not sure I can wait that long.” His cousin had devolved into muttering to himself. Evan found it funny that he now recognized Jackson’s internal processing from his time with Olivia.

“How are we going to get involved?” asked Evan, and Jackson blinked at him.

“My inside man—girl, teenager, no, she’s twenty now, whatever—at Eleanor’s office put forth the theory that whoever is pressing Eleanor will try to use us as leverage. She thought the fastest way to that goal would be for the ethics committee to subpoena all of us.”

“We’re listening to the inside teenager?” asked Evan skeptically.

“She’s smart, and her dad’s the police detective I was working with on Ella’s dad’s case.”

“Ah,” said Evan, finally connecting the dots. “Ms. Nowitsky, who goes to Brown. She made Grandma’s newsletter last spring. Does she work for you, or does she work for Grandma?”

“She interns for Eleanor,” said Jackson. “But I’m finding it very convenient to have her there. I might need to make the situation permanent once she graduates. Anyway, if the subpoena’s come out, my gloves come off. But I’m not sure I can wait that long.”

“Start now and then go public if it happens.”

“Good call,” said Jackson.

“Tell you what. Pull me a list of your top suspects. I’m pretty damn familiar with Granger’s finances at this point. Maybe I can find a financial connection.”

Jackson’s expression perked up. “That would be helpful. And also, if I get busted by Eleanor, I can blame it on you becauseyou’re older.”

Evan chuckled. “Nice.”

Jackson raised his glass, looking pleased, but on the table, his phone rang. Jackson picked it up and then immediately answered. That was a rarity for Jackson, who usually made family time a priority.

“Yeah, I’m with Evan. No, the bar down the street. What? No. I really don’t think—”

Jackson pulled the phone away from his ear, looking annoyed. “I swear there is an epidemic of people not listening to me lately.” Evan laughed. Jackson looked up at him, clearly conflicted. “OK, so speaking of things that I think you know, but I haven’t actually said.”

“What now?” asked Evan. The list really could be endless with Jackson.

“Devonte Miller, the guy you got arrested with—”

Evan rolled his eyes. “Yes, the guy who works for you but pretends to do construction while bodyguarding me and stealing all my stock tips. Do you really think I can’t tell when Aiden is trying to keep a secret? Or that I wouldn’t notice when Devonte’s legal troubles magically went away? It was just as though someone had the Deveraux lawyer pulling all the strings.” Evan shook his head. “You’re crafty, but I’m not that dumb.”

“Sorry,” said Jackson looking thoroughly not sorry. “But you wouldn’t stop riding the train.”

Evan shrugged. “It was clearly the right decision. That bullshit on the train with the skinheads would have been a complete disaster without him.”

Evan signaled the waitress for another drink, pointing at his glass and holding up one finger. She nodded, and Evan turned back to Jackson.

“Besides, I’m now luring him away with promises of a stable career where no one punches him.”

“Yes, I know, and I’m annoyed about it. Devonte is my top guy, and I provide a very good retirement package. I don’t understand how you convinced him to change jobs.”

“Like I said, lack of punching. Was there anything else, or do you secretly have someone planted at my office.”

“Nah, I just call Olivia when I want to know what’s up.”

“Hey guys,” said Devonte, unwinding his scarf as he approached. He was tall like the Deveraux cousins but built on stockier lines and wore his hair in shoulder-length dreads.

“Hey, D,” said Jackson. “What’s up?”

“Pete’s had a brain wave,” said Devonte. “I’m rounding up all the loose ends and getting you to sign off on all the things.”