Page 70 of Honorable Sins

"If he said he owned the companies, he was lying." I can't be any clearer than that.

"But I married him because he's a Shaughnessy," she says plaintively. "He's wealthy and influential."

"He's not poor," I inform her. "But without the annual income from overseeing the companies your lifestyle is going to have to be severely curtailed."

"No, that can't be right. He's…he can't…I don't even like him," she says mournfully.

"Sounds like maybe you need to file for divorce," Áine says, her tone understandably sarcastic.

"But he'll keep custody of Kenny Jr. if I do. It's in the prenup. I didn't think it mattered," she rambles. "I didn't know I'd love my son. I only had him because that was part of the deal. But he's my little boy."

For the first time since meeting her, I have some charity with Allison Shaughnessy.

Áine doesn't look all that moved by Allison's claim. "I believe you wanted to divorce Kenneth, but I don't believe Kenny is the reason you didn't. The prenup makes it so every year you stay with Kenneth increases the size of the divorce settlement."

"Yes, but I could have married another rich man." Allison's mouth goes slack in shock at the words that just came out of it. "I mean…"

Both Áine and I wait in vain to hear what she means.

"If you love your son, you should have been a more attentive parent. Didn't you see the little monster your husband was creating?" Áine asks.

"Being nice doesn't get you anywhere in this world."

Spoken like a true narcissist. My compassion for Allison is drying up fast.

"You want me to ask Mick for clemency on Kenny's behalf?" Áine asks Allison, her disbelief at the idea dripping from every word.

But Allison doesn't notice. Her head wobbles up and down. "Yes."

"Even if I thought the underboss would listen to me, I wouldn't do it," Áine says succinctly. "Kenny Jr. has a long way to go before he becomes a decent human being, and he isn't going to get there under you and your guidance."

"How dare you." Allison manages to dredge up real outrage despite the drug's effect.

Áine doesn't flinch. "Because you aren't a decent human."

Allison stares, her mouth opening and closing with no words coming out.

"You take advantage of the people who work for you. You ignore your husband's behavior toward female staff because acknowledging it would inconvenience you. You either indulge Kenny or forget he's in the room."

"That's a lie."

"No." Áine shakes her head. "It's six years of observation. Your son may be cruel and selfish, but you and your husband made him that way. I still remember the little boy I first met. He wanted your approval so bad. He tried so hard. He needed the love you claim to feel for him, but instead he got neglect from you and cruelty from Kenneth."

Áine stands up from the table. "You said no one ever got ahead in this world by being nice, but you're wrong. Decent people get ahead all the time. Mick and Kara are leagues ahead of you and Kenneth, but they're decent people. They love their kids. They're loyal to their family and friends."

"You think Mick Fitzgerald is decent?" Allison laughs.

It's real amusement because she's at that stage with the drug, where her genuine emotions are showing through whatever her intentions.

"I do." Áine looks at me. "Do you mind if I go for a walk along the shore?"

She's asking if I need her here to finish the interrogation. I don't. Allison is at a very malleable place and Áine clearly needs a moment to get her own emotions under control again.

I understand that need only too well.

"Not at all. Security is tight both in the water and on the perimeter. You have nothing to fear walking down there alone, but Wraith might have something to say if you go out of sight of the house regardless."

Áine just shakes her head. "My life sure has changed since I married Kieran."