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"He won’t," Derek says

My gaze jerks to him "Did you kill hied?" I ask

He leans on his credenza, arms folded in front of him "No one made hied it," I say "Sa, which tells me he’s far more in the "know" on this than I had hoped I look at him "You know about all of this, don’t you?"

"Be specific," he instructs, his noncommittal answer his standard formula, but the fact that he sits down as if he can’t stand, taking a subht," I say "Let’s be clear I’ll tell you what I know I’ll tell you what I expect"

"Save your breath," Derek says "Because this endeavor is worth a lot ofhim up to re Ridel is being used to package Sub-Zero The Feds are looking into a connection that led theht Should they find Ridel bottles, they will test what’s inside Furthermore, Brody’s as ready to tell the police he’d been using Ridel and acting weird I paid her off, and it wasn’t cheap, and she’s agreed to leave the country Now, I have to keep her silent throughout his funeral, when grief drives people to do things they wouldn’t otherwise do"

My father shows no reaction "Is this where you threaten to walk?" No denial No concern "Because considering what you’ve done to cover this up, I think it’s too late to abandon ship and not go down if it sinks" The edges of his htly

And there it is My father, theto turn the tables "Actually, that’s why I’m here She hasn’t been paid You or Derek need to issue the payment off your employee account Personally, I’d say you have the least risk"

Ridiculously, my father’s look transforms to one of pride, and I’d be flattered, but I know hia expenses," I say, "so make it four"

"Cut the check, Derek," my father says

"I didn’t make this deal," Derek says "It could be a setup I’ the check"

"He’ll cut the check," my father assures me

"We sidestep one probleet out of business with Martina"

"This is where you threaten to get out," Derek says

I push off the door and look at hiet Adrian Martina out"