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“It’s business, ma’am. You have information I need.”
“I’m not sure I do. I’d really rather not discuss the Steels with you.”
“Look, you can discuss it with me, or I can subpoena you to a deposition and force the information out of you under oath. I really don’t want to have to do that, Ms. Madigan.”
I was bluffing. Without a suit filed, I had no right to depose her. I still had no idea why Larry was pursuing this. At this point, I had my own agenda.
She let out a sigh, the laugh wrinkles around her eyes becoming more apparent. She looked old. Old and tired. “I guess I should’ve expected this sooner or later. Come on in. And call me Wendy, while you’re at it.”
I smiled, my panic finally easing. “I appreciate it. I really do. And please, call me Jade.” I stepped into the modest household.
“This is my mother’s home,” Wendy said. “I moved in a couple years ago when I retired. Her health is still good, but she needs a lot of help with things, considering her age.”
“I really don’t mean to intrude,” I said. “But I need to get this information.”
She nodded again. “Would you like anything? A cup of tea? Coffee? Bottle of water?” She paused for a few seconds. “Scotch?”
I let out a laugh. “Actually, a bottle of water would be perfect. Flying always dries me out.”
“Good enough. I’m going to have a stiff Scotch. If I’m going to talk about the Steels, I need it.”
“I assume that means this might be uncomfortable for you. I’m sorry about that.”
“Uncomfortable? I’m not sure that’s the right word.”
“What would be the right word?” I asked.
“Hell if I know. The Steels… They do carry their share of secrets.”
She was standing with her back to me, opening the fridge, so I couldn’t see the expression on her face. Her voice, though, indicated exhaustion. Exhaustion because she was fatigued or at the thought of discussing the Steels?
I had a hunch it was the latter.
Wendy moved to the counter, opened the cupboard, and pulled out a bottle. She poured herself a generous portion of the amber liquid. “Have a seat.” She gestured to the kitchen table.
I sat, and she joined me, placing a bottle of water in front of me.
She took a swig of her Scotch. “So what’s going on with the Steels?”
“Unfortunately, most of this is classified at this point, so I can’t tell you why they’re under investigation.” Especially since I didn’t know. The Steels were not involved in organized crime, as Larry claimed. I’d stake my life on it. “I can only ask questions.”
“I hope you understand that I can’t divulge certain stuff. A lot of it is confidential between the Steels and me.”
“Understood. But the more you can tell me today, the better off it will be for you and the Steels in the future.”
She nodded. “Understood as well. What you need to know?”
“Right now, my biggest question is why Talon Steel’s heroics overseas were covered up.”
“Ms. Roberts…err…Jade, let me be honest with you first off. Talon’s heroics being covered up is really a small part of what you’re dealing with here.”
I nodded, swallowing the drink of water I’d taken. “That doesn’t surprise me.”
“All I can tell you is that the story was covered up at the request of his older brother, Jonah Steel.”
“You mean Talon himself didn’t ask you to cover it up?”
“No. But if Jonah hadn’t, Talon would have.”
