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“Damn.” Dustin’s hands balled into fists. “I remember. Redley was killed at home, allegedly during a robbery. He worked for those animals?”
“Initially, yes. But I was there along with a dozen other men when he announced his intentions to beat the blackmailers at their own game. Three days later he was dead.”
“And, knowing this, you still think they’ll lose interest in you and disappear?”
Nick averted his gaze. “My situation is entirely different from Redley’s. I’m not a fool. I have no intention of seeking vengeance. What’s more, I don’t possess a shred of information that might intimidate them or make them fear exposure.”
“What makes you think Redley did?”
“The way he spoke. Why else would he have been so cocky, boasting that he’d thrown the race for his own purposes and that he now had the ammunition to get even?”
“You said it yourself—he was stupid. That doesn’t mean he had anything other than greed to back it up.”
“Nevertheless, he conspired with those criminals. I didn’t. Sooner or later, they’ll realize I’m no threat. At which point they’ll forget me.”
Dustin absorbed Nick’s words, his rigid profile. “You don’t believe that any more than I do.”
A hard swallow. “I have to believe that. For Nickie’s sake.” Rising, Nick faced Dustin, a bleak look in his eyes. “Since I fled Newmarket a week ago I’ve felt nothing but rage. Anger clouded my reason, and it was only today during the quiet hours when Nickie’s been at the stables that I’ve begun pondering the situation rationally. The truth is that if I ignore those bastards’ threats, go charging back to the turf like a self-righteous fool, I’ll be jeopardizing Nickie’s life. She’s my heart, Tyreham. If they hurt her—” Nick’s voice broke. “I couldn’t endure it. And if they killed me, who would Nickie have left? Therefore, I’ve come to the conclusion that to be heroic is to be reckless. I’ve got to wait this thing out until they give up and divert their energies elsewhere. Time is my only hope.”
“You’re deluding yourself,” Dustin countered. “What’s more, you know it. And, by doing so, you’re not protecting Nicole, you’re exposing her to even greater danger.” Adamantly, he shook his head. “As for tactics, I’d never suggest you pursue these men. That would be downright suicidal. But they’re not going to give up, Aldridge. Not until they find you. So denial is not the solution. Discovery is.”
“Discovery?” Nick repeated. “How do you suggest I unearth facts while in hiding?”
“I don’t. But then, you’re in hiding. I’m not.”
Nick studied Dustin for a long, thoughtful minute. “Who are you doing this for, your nephew or Nickie?”
“Both. And for the whole bloody lot of us who refuse to allow scum to corrupt the turf.” Dustin frowned in thought. “Clearly, this is no amateur scheme. It’s too vast and too ruthless. Which means there are pieces missing. Such as, who do those two lowlifes you described work for? They’re certainly not acting on their own. So who’s issuing their instructions, aiming to make a fortune on fixed races evidently as far back as last September?”
“Not just aiming. Succeeding.” Nick gave a resigned sigh. “You really believe this is the prudent course of action, don’t you, Tyreham?” He waited only for Dustin’s nod. “I hope to God you know what you’re doing. But since you’re determined to try to stop these men, you’ll need all the help I can give you, prisoner though I am. I’m privy to more details than you are. For example, I know several jockeys who cooperated by throwing races. One, in fact, rode for you.”
“Who?”
“Alberts.”
Dustin inhaled sharply. “So, it wasn’t incompetence. My assessment of his riding abilities was right.”
“Indeed, he’s one hell of a jockey. He’s also a greedy scoundrel who collected a thousand pounds for forfeiting the fall races. And he’s far from alone. I can give you names, racing events … the incidents are widespread, involving a handful of riders and Lord knows who else.”
“Has no one tried to stop them?”
“Last September a group of us jockeys speculated over ways to put an end to the situation. But then Redley was murdered, and our desire for justice was eclipsed by our desire to stay alive.”
“A group of you … I gather your friend Sullivan was part of that group.”
Nick’s brows rose. “Nickie discussed Sully with you?”
“Only to say that he’s your closest friend and that he helped spirit you from the turf.”
“He did. He also gave us every pound he had in order to keep us hidden.”
“I’ll replenish every cent—in person.”
“You intend to see him?”
“With your permission, yes. He’s the only one, other than Nicole and me, who knows your true whereabouts. Also, he’s not only your trusted friend but a fellow jockey, someone who’s far closer to the riders in question than I. Perhaps he can help, maybe add to the list you provide me.”
Nick considered the request. “What if those bastards are watching you? They’ll see you meet with Sully. I don’t want them connecting him with my disappearance.”
