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“I am aware,” he said slowly, “I am not blameless There is much of my life I would do differently if I could, and I would have started with how I treated the people I cared about” His chest lifted, and he squared his shoulders to ive you and would like to move beyond this” He took another sip of his scotch, then stared at the ae part ofI am not healed I don’t believe that’s possible until I’ve repaired what I can of what I’ve done to you and your brother” His tone shifted, becoes “Will you let me try?”

“Yes” The instant it was out, I felt different Lighter The heaviness of one, but it was a fraction of what it had been

He looked pleased, and perhaps he felt lighter, too “Excellent”

I finished lass down on the desk, and turned ood news is we can start right now The bad news is, e just discussed? That was the easy part”

Had that aze followed mine to the safe “This is about Ms Mendenhall, I presume”

“Yes,” I said, “and no” I put ht while watching Einal position, angling the chair toward the fireplace I gestured to the one opposite it for my father to take a seat “I need to tell you a story”

When he sat, I began by telling hi alarm sensor and the pretty sales rep who’d asked me out to lunch That I’d suspected she had ulteriorbecause I was intrigued by her theory that Jillian had faked her death I explained e’d discovered and then hoe’d confirmed our friend was very much alive and well, free from her life in Cape Hill

He didn’t ask questions when I talked about Eet inside Wayne’s safe and why she wanted to do it How she’d spent ten years believing he’d stolen the final months she would have had with her father before he’d died, only to learn her father and his ga addiction shared much of the blame

“Wayne La o to Royce, because the board would be openly hostile to him if he did I don’t think he went to you because you scare the shit out of hiet”

My father stayed cal the problem “What does he have on you?”

“Nothing, actually” My heartrate cliht it was a co, deep breath “Alice put a hidden caements she’d had done for the party”

His mind worked so ing by the dread in his voice “Which party?”

“The one celebrating Royce’s promotion to the board”

One , and the next he was on his feet “Have you seen this video?”

“Enough of it,” I said, “to recognize as going on, and the faces in the roo when Marist’s dress came off”

He moved so quickly as he strode the roo He retreated deep into his thoughts, traveling a tight circuit across the rug before stopping and putting his hands on the back of his chair, leaning over it He squeezed so tight, his knuckles turned white

“Fucking Alice,” he uttered It was so rare that he swore, but it was entirely appropriate “I’ to destroy Wayne Lambert”

“I figured asall of HBHC in the process?” I rose froaze at hi Marist?”

He looked uncertain, but only a moment “I’ll find a way”

I nodded, hoping he’d say that “I have an idea, but I need your advice” Because my father wasn’t just a y “You’re always two steps ahead, and no one kno to play the game better than you” I brushed back the bottom of o, you ca your plan with Sophia I’ the same of you now Will you help me?”