Come on, June.It’s now or never.
“When did Titas approach you about covering or…starting the fire at Ford’s place?”I ask.“Was it at the chili cook-off?When I was standing right next to you?”
He pulls his hand away and moves it under the table.Honestly, if I’d slapped him, I think he would’ve been less shocked.I guess I don’t blame him.He thought he was coming to reconnect with me, and all I’m doing is interrogating him.
“I don’t know what you're talking about,” he mumbles.
And I hate it.Because Bryan really is a good guy.A good guy who was cornered and offered an opportunity to wipe away all his financial struggles.The motive was clear as day when Ford brought it up earlier, and it’s clear as day now, too.So, how do I get Bryan to fess up to it?
“I’m not trying to get you in trouble,” I murmur.“I promise.”
“Is that why you asked me to meet you?”he demands.
He’s mad.He has every right to be.But this isn’t going to go where I need it to if he feels like I’m blaming him or trying to set him up.I’m not.Truly, I’m not.So, how do I make him recognize the truth?
With a sigh, I murmur, “I asked to meet you because I know you, Bryan.I know you’re a good guy.I know you have a good heart.I know you would never do anything to hurt anyone.And I also know that you needed that money to help your mom and your sister.”
Something hits his eyes.It’s a combination of remorse and resolution.Add in the fact that he hasn’t stormed off, and I feel like this is going pretty decently.
“Titas lied,” I continue.“Whatever he told you, whatever promises he made about your job or protection, he’s threatening to throw you under the bus.”
He pulls back.“What?”
“I won't let it happen, I promise,” I rush out.And I mean it, too.It isn’t fair for someone like Bryan to be manipulated, then kept as a potential scapegoat all because he’s financially crippled by a loving mother and a baby sister.“What I need to know is when he reached out to you, and what happened that night.Can you tell me?”
“June.”
“Titas Harden is nothing but a back-stabbing asshole,” I tell him.“If he can torch his own sons’ house out of spite, what do you think he’ll do to you, a random fireman?”
He gulps, then reaches for his glass, swallowing back half its contents.With a clink, he sets it down again.“What do you want to know?”
My smile is relieved as I sag forward in my chair.“Everything.”
52
FORD
Roman
We got it.
Standing outside Mercer Consulting, I dial June’s number and bring my cell to my ear.She answers on the first ring, and my pulse jumps as her quiet voice echoes through the speaker.“Hey.”
“Tell me you’re okay.”
“I’m okay,” she murmurs.It’s as soft and sweet as she is.“Promise.”
My relief only lasts a few seconds, knowing we’ve only fought half the battle.“Jagger’s in the waiting room with Hawke,” I tell her.“They wanted to have eyes on him while you were meeting with Bryan.”
“Smart,” she answers.
Smart?That’s it?I fight the urge to reach through my phone and throttle her.“What’d he say?”I push.“And do you have it recorded?”
“Yup, Roman already confirmed it’s officially recorded, and we can hear him clearly through the hidden mic, but I don’t think Bryan’s going to get cold feet if we need him.”
“What do you mean?”I frown.“Did you, uh, did you kiss him or something?”
“What?”she laughs.“No, not even close.”
