37

“Not a surprise. How do you want to handle this?”

“I’m heading back to Montreal with a special guest, the prosecutor on the case. From there, I’ll determine who set up both your brother and me. I suggest you use your influence to tighten a noose around the necks of the individuals listed on the file. I will return to clear my name. And business will begin to flow your way.”

“Succinct,” Liam said, “but risky. However, I do like your style. Is this prosecutor trustworthy?”

“She’s helping me determine who is intent on destroying our family empires.”

“That will place her life on the line. I’m certain you understand the politics of ridding crime from the streets is a big-ticket item come every other November.”

“Yes, much like what we have to deal with in Canada.”

He glanced away, tapping his finger across his chin. “If this woman is worth her salt, I’ll add my level of protection if necessary.”

“Thank you, Liam. That is also very much appreciated.”

“Still, whatever happens, there is significant risk involved.”

I took another sip of the smooth scotch, enjoying the flavor more than I should. I wasn’t certain I could trust Liam any more than he believed he could trust me, but neither one of us had a choice. If we didn’t work together, it was entirely possible we’d both land in prison. “I’m aware of that.”

He fiddled with his glass. “I wouldn’t have believed you weren’t involved with my brother’s death if he hadn’t lost six of his best men during the last month. Ronald was scrambling to try and determine who killed them.”

“Six? From what I understand, two were killed, at least according to the police.” The news flash surprised me. It would seem it was something Selena had no clue about as well.

His snort was followed by a roll of his eyes. “At first, we thought a rival gang located on the far side of town was attempting to muscle in. That led to a near street war, several of the top cartel members killed in the process. However, I’m beginning to wonder if someone had decided to pick off our best members. As you might imagine, we kept it quiet.”

“Understood. Any ideas at this point?” He couldn’t afford to lose any additional respect that had been initiated by the murder of the Irish mob boss. It was something I would do as well.

“Honestly, none.”

I leaned forward, taking a long shot. “Have you ever heard of a man by the name of Damien Duncan?”

He lifted his gaze quickly, even glancing at his second in command who exhaled. “The Butcher.”

“Yeah. Any possibility he’s returned to town?”

“Not that I’ve heard of, but I can check that out as well. After the trial a few years ago, he disappeared, but that doesn’t mean the man didn’t remain active. He was a one-man murdEricag machine.”

“Of innocent women.”

He laughed, swirling his glass. “Innocence is in the eye of the beholder. The women he selected weren’t by random choice. They were daughters and wives of some very powerful men.”

I chuckled under my breath. “Another piece of information I find fascinating. Did the press or anyone in law enforcement pick up on this?”

“The connection was made, but given the women were all from different families, it was decided this piece of information didn’t matter to the case.”

“But you and your brother believed otherwise.”

Liam grinned. “Yes. To that end, we put out a contract on the Butcher’s life.”

“But he disappeared before you had the chance to carry it through.”

“Exactly.”

“Any ties to the cartel?” I asked after the information had settled in.

“His family was prominent throughout the southeast. You obviously haven’t learned much about him.”

“No. I’ve yet to find the time. You have me curious. What does that matter?”

He rolled his finger in circles on the table before answEricag, as if the tidbit he was about to tell me was juicy. “His father is currently a key advisor to the governor, one brother is a senator, and the other a high-ranking military man serving in the Pentagon. That’s why the kid got off. Not because the prosecutor of the case botched it. Someone was paid very well to provide an alibi.”

I sat back. “This situation smells of a conspiracy that’s been going on for a long time. That also makes me think that in eliminating these particular women, widespread threats were issued. If I had to venture a guess, I’d say after the murders several power players suddenly either stopped backing a political opponent or put all their money behind a member of what we’ll call a secret consortium.”

“You are very astute, my friend. With what you provided today, the pieces are starting to fall into place.”

“Except you’re surprised women are behind this well thought out coup.”

“Yes, I must admit it. And if the assumptions we’ve made are anywhere close to being correct, then we will need to act quickly.” He lifted his glass. “And hunt down the people involved.”

“Agreed. However, a bloody war isn’t in our best interest.”

“For once I agree with you.”

We clinked glasses and while I wasn’t convinced this was some political coup that had been going on for years, I couldn’t erase the facts. It would seem my beautiful attorney would become more valuable than she realized. Getting her out of town was imperative before she was considered a liability. We both tooklong swallows and I immediately moved to stand. “I’ll provide you with my personal information and be in touch. I’m leaving tonight. The pipeline will be open as soon as it’s feasible. My beautiful friend will work on how best we can derail this plan.”

“What is the saying, my friend,” Liam said as he stood. “Good things come to those who wait. I will ask that when we find out who killed my brother and sister-in-law that I be allowed to handle that particular situation.”

“Fair enough. The pain of losing a family member is difficult.”

“Yes, more than I understood. Safe travels. Just a word of warning. The people you’re talking about are powerful in a different way. My brother always warned me that even highly respected people usually will cross the line into the dark side if they are convinced or coerced into doing so. Where we are up front about our intentions, they are not.”

“Yes, that’s very much something I understand. As my father told me. Everyone has a price.”

He laughed. “So true. Don’t forget your case of whiskey. It should keep you warm on those cold nights in Montreal. Perhaps I’ll get up there one day.”

“You’re always welcome.”

“Thank you for the invitation.”

As I walked out, the crowd became quiet as it had done before but no one attempted to make a move on us. I was no fool, knowing that Liam couldn’t be fully trusted and given the chance, he’d cross that line into a darker side. But for now, the blood loss would remain at a minimum.

Unless we both determined otherwise.