Broken by His Hand - Piper Stone Page 0,42
it was destroyed before that could occur. Don’t you find that odd, William?”
“Well, if you put it that way, I do. Has something happened to make you dig up the past?” He seemed to find it difficult to look me in the eyes.
I nodded toward the box on the corner of my desk. “Someone thought it funny to send me dog biscuits with a very interesting note. Given the recent attempt at framing my brothers and me around sexual slavery, you can certainly understand why I might be anxious.”
He darted a quick look in my direction before walking toward the box and peering inside, taking a moment to read the note. His hand was shaking. Fascinating. “You have no idea who sent this?”
“Not one. It happened right around the time my car was riddled with bullets, sending me shooting off the road.”
Now he seemed more nervous than ever. The fact he remained silent spoke volumes.
“You were shot at?” he managed.
“Several times.”
William had difficulty looking in my direction. “That ledger needs to be burned.”
“I tend to agree, but only if it’s found. Was Father ever close to being convicted of any crimes?” I asked quietly. I’d purposely stayed away for years, enjoying private schools and college while other kids had been homesick. When I’d taken over, the outstanding warrant issued by the FBI against him had eventually faded into the woodwork, but not before being forced to turn over my father’s books. While they’d been in disarray, there’s been no indication of wrongdoing. If I had to guess, I’d say wherever the ledgers were being kept, assorted financial files had been stashed in the same location.
He offered a slight smile. “You know the answer to that. He had far too many friends in various law enforcement departments. The tenacious FBI agent you were forced to deal with was young, determined to put a notch on his belt. But you already knew that.”
“Yes, well, I had no idea what would be found, William. What I do know is that the accusations suddenly disappeared. My guess is that if the agent would have dug deep enough, he would have found something. Then out of the blue, the entire situation disappeared. Why do I have the feeling it had nothing to do with your defense strategies?”
There was another uncomfortable moment before he smiled. “Believe me, I was as surprised as you.”
“Uh-huh. Now, I will ask you again. Who were the members of this inner core?” If what he was saying was the truth, that meant someone had been looking out for us. Or maybe they’d wanted the club to reopen.
“I don’t know,” he said quietly, placing the note back in the box. “I’m telling you the truth, Michael. Your father and I might have been friends, but I’d made it clear from the beginning of our relationship that I didn’t want to know anything about the club, its members, or whatever activities went on behind those doors. He never told me their names.”
“But you knew this core existed.”
He sighed, and beads of sweat slithered down both sides of his face. The motherfucker knew more than he was willing to tell me. Now I was pissed.
“Okay, yes. I knew, but never any names. Not one. I never went to the club. I didn’t ask him questions. I refused to listen to anything. Did I have suspicions? Well, of course, but it’s been years, Michael. I can’t imagine the individuals stuck around after your father was gone.”
I studied him for a few seconds. “So, you honestly stand by your story that you have no idea where the infamous ledger or likely multiple ledgers are. Is that correct?”
“I swear to you on your father’s grave.”
The anger boiled from deep within, my patience shot. I lunged forward, wrapping my hand around his throat and shoving him several feet in the opposite direction until I was able to slam his body against the wall. I dug my fingers into his neck as his eyes opened wide, his face immediately turning red. “I don’t buy your bullshit, William. You watched over the family after my parents were gone. You made certain you knew exactly what I was doing with the club, even trying on several occasions to get me to reopen it after I wanted nothing to do with the fucking place. Then, you applauded me on the day that I succumbed to my father’s wishes, sending me a fucking gift basket of all things in congratulations. Don’t you dare