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Gaze on the envelope, I suddenly wish I had X-ray vision, because no way this guy is about to hand over whatever he seems to think would be important to me without some condition. “What is it?”
“Tell me what you know about Lucian.”
“You’re asking me for information, when I don’t even know that what’s in that envelope is worth it.”
“It’s worth it. And I’ll assure you, this offer doesn’t come without risk to me. I’ve more to lose than you in this exchange.” Which means my curiosity just ratcheted up a notch, just not enough, until he says, “It contains information about your father.”
Shit.
No. No way he’s privy to that.
All my life, I’ve yearned to know the answer to that question. I’ve inquired and dug around to no avail.
But what if it’s true?
My gaze falls to the envelope again. What if my father’s identity is right there? Practically at my fingertips.
Rubbing my hand across my brow, I close my eyes and shake my head. I’m not telling this guy jack about Lucian and risking someone watching me, like Giulia. But for information about my dad, I’ll tell him what I know for certain. “He didn’t kill Nell. He was with me the night before she was found dead.”
“Come now, you know he doesn’t have to carry out the murder himself. A man like Lucian Blackthorne can’t afford the blood on his hands, with the kind of past he has. Perhaps the only thing the man can’t afford.”
“You’re suggesting he had her killed?”
“She was meeting regularly with me. They knew it. The question is, why wouldn’t he have had her killed sooner?”
“And now I risk the same fate.”
“Give me what I’m looking for, and you’ll never hear from me again. I swear it.”
“What are you looking for?”
“Have you seen, or met, any of the members of Schadenfreude?”
According to Giulia, the men who were present at the masquerade were members, though I didn’t see any of their faces behind the masks. Except for Mayor Boyd.
“Only one. But I don’t even know if he’s a member. He might be innocent.”
“Who?”
“Mayor Boyd.”
Lips curved upward, he snorts. “Amelia’s father. The scandalous Mayor Boyd who had an affair with a seventeen year old girl. Trust me when I say he’s not innocent. He’s the only one you’ve seen around the manor?”
“Yes.”
“And do you know in what capacity Lucian serves this group? Have you ever seen one of his slaves, or noticed any unusual activity? Anyone coming to the manor who, perhaps, didn’t leave?”
“Slaves?”
“Yes. This group is known for sexual slavery and sadism.”
“I … know he’s helped Giulia. A maid who works for them.”
“I’m aware of Giulia. Any others?”
“No.” I don’t bother to tell him about Franco, because that would open the box to more digging, and I don’t need a drug dealer seeking me out for having ratted him out.
“I’m afraid I need one more piece of information before I hand this off to you.”
