Page 21 of Callous Shot

Eventually, he cleared his throat. “I want to speak to you about your uncle.” I inhaled sharply, but I did my best to keep my face impassive as he continued to speak. “You may or may not be aware that he’s working on an investigation code named Operation Foxglove. It targets several gangs operating in rural areas.”

I kept my expression as blank as possible, lifting my shoulder in a shrug.

“Uh. I think I’ve heard the name, but I don’t know any details. He doesn’t talk to me about active investigations.”

My father huffed impatiently. “I’ve contacted several people in my network with no luck, and I need you to find out if he’s investigating the Hoyton Firm. If not, I’d like you to suggest to him that he may wish to direct his attention towards them.”

“What? Why me? Why would Mike even listen to me?”

“Because you have an advantage. An in with the network. Neil Hoyton trusts me as much as I trust him, which is to say, not at all, given the bad blood between us, but you… You’re in an advantageous position. Daniel Hoyton is your age, and he plays this…ice hockey.” His mouth twisted in distaste. “Use your resources. If the Hoyton Firm aren’t part of the investigation, make sure they are. Find something of interest that will gain Michael’s attention.”

“No. I can’t do that.”

“You can and will if you don’t want to face unpleasant consequences. I rarely ask you for anything, Lincoln. I let you live your life as you wish.” Yeah, except for making me study law so I can follow in your footsteps—the only acceptable career for me in your eyes. “I know Daniel Hoyton is beneath you, son, and ordinarily I wouldn’t ask you to associate with such lowlifes. But this is a unique situation. We have a chance at rooting out these disgusting criminal gangs, and I will finally have closure.”

So that was what this was about. Revenge. He was such a hypocrite. He didn’t care about getting rid of local crime. He was perfectly happy cosying up to the Thorpes and the Volkovs when it suited him. No, this was about the fact that he wanted to get his own back for the Culverhouse case he’d spectacularly lost, the dark shadow still hanging over his impeccable career record.

“Spell it out. What exactly are you asking me to do?”

His expression hardened. “Don’t play stupid with me, boy. I want you to dig deep. Find out something your uncle can use, and then nudge him in the right direction. It should be easy. These are lowlife, two-bit criminals. They’re not masterminds.”

Now was not the time to bring up the fact that these “two-bit criminals” had managed to win a court case against him. As far as I was aware, they hadn’t even had official representation other than basic legal advice.

“Dad…”

He looked at me then, and it was as if he could see straight through me. His lips curved into a humourless smile. “Come on, son. Don’t you want to take Daniel Hoyton down a peg or two? I know there is bad blood between the two of you.”

“Yeah,” I admitted. But that wasn’t the issue, was it? This involved multiple people and me doing my father’s dirty work. “But I don’t think⁠—”

My father sighed heavily. “I didn’t want to have to resort to this, but I’ll let you in on a little secret. Some people are highly motivated by money. Wouldn’t it be a shame if Matilda’s mother was incentivised to gain full custody, rather than her current fifty-fifty arrangement, and Michael was no longer even allowed to visit?”

Tilly. My jaw dropped as I stared at the man who shared my DNA, a man who’d never felt more like a stranger than he did right then. “You wouldn’t,” I whispered.

“Do not underestimate the lengths I will go to in order to see my goals achieved. Be reasonable, Lincoln. I’m not asking for much here. A simple bit of digging, and Operation Foxglove can take care of the rest.” He rose to his feet. “See that you keep up your end of the bargain, and nothing will have to change for your uncle and cousin.”

10

LINCOLN

A large Victorian building loomed up ahead, the dark shadow becoming more visible as I drew closer, illuminated by my headlights. The Cranham Kings hockey house.

I knew a significant portion of the team lived there, including a certain red-headed menace. As I reached it, my gaze flicking between the house and the road, I noticed it was dark, other than a dim porch light. That probably meant they were all at the yard.

I’d done what I could to prepare for this inevitable clash. Daniel Hoyton and I were a volatile mix, and adding in the escalating interactions between us, it could only end up one way.

My fingers flexed on the steering wheel as I pressed down on the accelerator, speeding past the house. As soon as I cleared it, the high, impenetrable prison walls came into view. My jaw tightened. I’d done my best to avoid this place, but now I had no other option.

When I’d parked, I leaned back against the headrest, closing my eyes and taking deep, steady breaths until I was calmer. It was pointless, because I knew as soon as I saw Daniel, my blood pressure would go through the roof.

I found the group of Whelford students milling around outside the yard and came up next to Jasper, who gave me a nod. “Alright? You planning to fight later?”

“Yeah…probably.”

“Get your name down, quick.” He laughed. “Seems like there’s a few Flames players wanting a go at the Cranham scum, especially after the fight at our party. Some who aren’t players, either.” His gaze flicked behind me. “Including your girl.”

“The fuck, Campbell? I don’t have a girl.”

“My mistake.” A smirk curved across his lips. “You might want to notify Kimberly of that. She swore to Cara that you two were dating.”