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I allowed my expression to fall, finally shifting my gaze away and walking closer to the exterior door. “You know my father worked hard often sixteen hours a day to make ends meet for the family. He wanted his kids to have a better life. When he purchased the winery, he thought it was his golden ticket. Sadly, he learned quickly that no one in Napa Valley wanted Cheyenne in their space. While there were wonderful people who helped my father achieve success, there were just as many who did everything in their power to shove him into failure.”
He said nothing, but I heard him shifting in his seat.
“Anyway, that was the past. I plan on moving into the future. The only way to do that is to exterminate roaches. Do you know what I mean, Prescott?”
“I think you’re still rattled, Montgomery. I suggest you go home and rest.”
Laughing, I shook my head. “No, I don’t need rest. What I need is to fulfill my desire for the truth. I made my mind up last night. I thought you could help me with that.”
“I’m not certain what you mean.”
“I think you know exactly what I mean, Prescott.” I moved quickly, lowering into the seat opposite him. I didn’t want there to be a single technical difficulty.
He lifted his head, eyeing me carefully. “Go on.”
I leaned forward, taking my time before addressing him. “I know you were responsible for the fire two years ago as well as torching the Kingstons’ place. I also know you had the fire set at one of my villas two nights ago. What I want from you is nothing more than for you to confirm that.”
There was something almost haunting about the look in his eyes. He turned his head toward his pool, biting his lower lip. Then he stood, moving to the same spot I’d been standing. “Do you think it’s easy trying to forge an empire?”
“Not in the least.” Where the hell was he going with this?
“I put everything I had into purchasing the winery against the advice of my attorney and my family. I lost my family over what I’d hungered to achieve. Granted, it’s their loss as well. They won’t be able to enjoy the pleasures of what I’ve created. And what I’m going to achieve.”
“The resort and casino.”
He darted a glance in my direction. “Yes. Imagine what it’s going to do for the area. The number of jobs created will be amazing and the money flowing into the community? Substantial.”
The man was actually excited about the fact he’d almost won.
Almost.
“But your investors aren’t happy with you. Right?” I knew I was pushing, but I didn’t want to waste any additional time with this bullshit than I had to.
“They are… concerned. Just like you, I have a board of directors to please. That’s not easy. I’m certain you know exactly what I’m talking about.”
“Which is why you pressured the various winery owners to sell, even resorting to threats.”
He seemed more exasperated, his face shifting into a bright pink color. “I was willing to pay them a reasonable price! They were stupid in refusing me. Those arrogant bastards thought the pristine atmosphere was more important than making money. So I handled the situation in the methods I knew would work.”
“Arson.”
Laughing, he pressed his hands against the screened-in portion of the door. “It’s my understanding that you were planning on exacting revenge the other night. Coming to my house and invading my space. What were you planning on doing, killing me? That’s not like you, Montgomery.”
I cocked my head, trying to figure out what the hell he was getting at. How would he know that? “Interesting.”
“What do you really want, Montgomery?”
“The truth. I already told you that. I need to know what happened to my wife and to the woman I fell in love with.” My anger was increasing to the point I wasn’t certain I could control it.
I took a deep breath, trying to keep from wrapping my hands around the man’s throat. “I’m going to ask you a question, Prescott, and you’re going to answer me truthfully.”
He laughed, which almost took me over the edge. “Why do you think I’d tell you a damn thing?”
“Because I think you want to. In fact, I know you do.” I gave him a hard look, his eyes opening wide. While I might not be able to snap the man’s neck, I could provide a clear indication of what would happen if he didn’t cooperate with me in more subtle ways.
“What the hell do you want to know?”
“Did you order someone to set the fires?” When he didn’t respond right away, I walked closer, staring him eye to eye.
