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“Agreed” Derek paused “Are you okay?”

“I’ll be fine” Sloane wasn’t about to give in to her personal feelings Not now “How do you want me to handle this?”

“Give me a half hour Then call your father Tell him only the facts That Phil was killed That Phil’s bookie is in custody And that we’re investigating the murder Your dad can notify his partners”

“Why a half hour?”

“Because I’m on my way over to Martino’s factory I want to be the one who breaks the news to hi out every detail about theto tell me why Xiao wanted Phil dead”

“Call me when you’re done” Sloane had already ju up her archery equipive you rill Ben, and me the chance to tellto hit him hard”

Martino alking the factory floor when Derek strode in

He didn’t see Derek right away He was pointing so estures, because she nodded and went back to work Martino turned, and Derek got his first good look at him

He looked like death war—probably the saard expression He was a trifle unsteady on his feet, but definitely not staggering drunk

His expression turned even sicker when he spotted Derek, who motioned for him to join him in the front office

It took Martino a few minutes to lanced nervously at Derek and shut the door behind him

“You’re back,” he said, his gaze flickering to the newly opened bottle of whiskey on his desk “Did you coht?”

“I didn’t have to They came up on their own” Derek jerked his thuaze “Go ahead Get it This is one drink you’re going to need”

“I’ht” It was a bald-faced lie, and they both knew it “What’s this about?”

“Did you have a productive ht?”