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“No, I don’t suppose I could.” William started to pull back, but Egerton tightened his grip.
“This is commonly known, and you may have heard on the other side, but it was your father who made it easy for you to get pinched to begin with. He knew some of your business and gave up information on some of your deals.”
William froze, staring at Egerton. He was caught between believing and not believing. It was entirely possible that his father had helped him to get arrested. The man had never been thrilled that William went into business on his own anyway.
“Oh, it’s true.” Egerton smiled, stretching his pale lips into a near grimace. “Just a free sample of what you could have with the right partner, son. Not everyone knows how to treat their own right.”
“And you would? Would that include another knife in my side?”
“Don’t be foolish. I’ve been keeping an eye on you lately, but I never ordered that hit.”
“Then who did?” William pressed. He was beginning to sweat and felt uncomfortable standing this close to Egerton. “That gun has definitely worked for you before.”
“It took me some time to convince this particular gun to work for me exclusively. Not unlike you.” Egerton let William go and reached over to fix William’s collar. “I was trying to entice you to work for me back then, too, if you’ll remember.”
“Of course, I do. And I said no.”
“But not quickly enough for the taste of some.” Egerton looked down at William’s hand. “What have you done with that lovely ring your mother gave you? She was one of the best, you know. Not just your father’s helpmeet, but a true right hand. Do you remember how she trained you to take care of yourself? She gave him and me similar training, and others, before she died.”
William instinctively brushed Egerton’s hands away from his suit. “I have to go meet with Anne.”
“Remember what I said, William. And if you don’t believe me, consider what you know about me. If I were truly angry with you, no one would be able to identify what was left,” Egerton said cheerfully. “I could call your father if I wanted, not leave him a bloody message. I speak for myself, not through corpses.”
Egerton left him then, and William found it hard to breathe. It was entirely too possible that his father had not only been the one to clip his wings by sending him to prison, but had also ordered someone to stab him. It would explain the difference in method from the same killer, and why William was still alive at all. And it would explain why his father had been so dismissive of the injury while William was in the hospital.
He’d known all along that William would most likely get to medical help in time. He had just wanted William to be frightened away from working for someone else. But his plans had failed, and William had pulled away from his manipulations entirely to start his own business. How that must gall the old man!
Anne appeared by his side with another glass of champagne and pushed it into his hands. “What did Egerton tell you? You’re as white as milk.”
“Oh, I am not,” William snapped. “Are you ready to go upstairs, or do you fancy another go on the dance floor?”
Anne took his arm and wordlessly guided him toward the door.
Chapter Eleven
William would never admit that his hands were shaking, but Anne could tell just from being so close to him. He said nothing as they crossed the floor of the gala and nothing as they headed for the elevators. Once in the elevator, she put her hand on his chest.
“What did Egerton say?” Anne asked.
“It’s not important. It isn’t relevant to the case.” William had finished the champagne in the ballroom, and his hand looked like it was itching for another drink. “It could still be either Egerton or Santiago. The legwork is all up to the PD.”
He looked up at the ceiling and let out a heavy sigh.
“Will—”
“Not sharing, love. Not something your partners need to know.”
Anne frowned. Then she reached into the plunging V neckline of her dress and turned off the mic. “They aren’t listening now. What happened?”
William shook his head. When the doors opened, he took her hand and made a determined line into the hallway until they reached room 437. He opened it, took her inside, and flipped the deadbolt.
“Where’s the bloody bar?” William groaned. He shucked off his suit jacket and dropped it on the bed.
“There.” Anne pointed with one hand toward what looked like a large, two-door cabinet made of dark wood, as she slipped out of her heels. She hadn’t minded them as much as William had imagined. All of her boots had a significant heel. She disliked feeling small around the other officers.
William bent over the fridge and pulled out the whiskey. “Cheers, pet.” He poured several fingers, set the bottle down, and knocked the whiskey back.
“Jesus, Will.” Anne came over and took the bottle. “Is that really necessary?”
