look up from her seat at the side of Jack’s desk, her concentration remaining on Jack’s hands.
“Afternoon, Mulligan,” Frank said, removing his derby. “Hope you don’t mind the intrusion.”
He did, actually. Once his nails were finished, he had a stack of reports and tallies to get through before he could meet Justine over at Bond Street in an hour. “Not at all,” he lied as Mrs. Jenkins began filing his nails. “Always happy to see you both. Some more than others, of course.”
Clayton said, “Being rude won’t get rid of me.”
Pity. “You are looking well, Madden. How is the lovely Florence?”
Clayton’s eyes flashed with violent intent. She was a sore spot between the two of them. He clearly hadn’t forgotten how Florence came running to Jack when Clayton had been stupid enough to kick her out. “She is exceedingly well, thank you.”
“I am relieved to hear so. Please send her my regards. And if I may help her casino in any way—”
“She doesn’t need your help,” Clayton snapped.
“Perhaps, but my door is always open for her.”
“If you’re not too busy with your primping, that is.” He tilted his chin toward Jack’s hands.
“Hold up, you two,” Frank said. “That’s not why we are here. We’re here to talk about my other sister-in-law.”
Justine? Jack ground his back teeth together, fighting an outward reaction. He hated being caught off guard. However, he needed to keep his wits about him at all times. Stupid equaled sloppy equaled dead in Jack’s world.
Jack said quietly to the manicurist, “Mrs. Jenkins, would you mind excusing us for just a few moments?”
The woman nodded and put down her file. Cooper showed her into the hallway and shut the door behind her. Jack faced his two guests. “And what about Miss Greene?”
Clayton strolled over to the sideboard and poured drinks for them. “You and Miss Justine Greene,” he drawled and handed out glasses of bourbon. “I wouldn’t think luring uptown debutantes to their ruin was your raison d’être, but here we are.”
Jack set the glass aside. “Making money is my raison d’être, a quality we both share. And, I hardly see how this involves you. Isn’t there a gloomy hallway missing your glower right about now?”
“Stop sniping at each other,” Frank said. “Mulligan, my wife is concerned about your association with her sister.”
“Miss Greene is a grown woman and makes her own choices. I am not forcing her to do anything against her will.”
“That’s a load of shit,” Clayton put in as he leaned against the wall, drink in hand. “You’re seducing her into trusting you.”
“You make me sound positively Machiavellian.”
“Because it’s not far from the truth,” Frank said. “I am begging you to leave her alone. This can only end badly and I won’t be able to help you. Her father will come after you.”
“Please.” That was beyond insulting. Jack shook his head. “Considering all I’ve faced in my thirty-two years, do you honestly believe I am scared of Duncan Greene?”
Frank’s mouth flattened and Jack imagined the lawyer was fighting the urge to talk this problem to death. “I want you to stop involving yourself in my clients’ cases.”
“I’m hardly involved. Your sister-in-law asks for my assistance from time to time and I see no reason to refuse her.”
“I am asking you to refuse. I do not want you mixed up in my business.”
“Except for my donations.”
Frank grimaced. “I realize how that sounds, but yes. I prefer to help clients legally, not through bribes and intimidation. And the legal aid society remains open only through generous donations.”
At least he was honest. “May I ask where this is coming from?”
“Mrs. Gorcey returned this morning saying her husband has missed the last two payments. Apparently, you and Justine settled on some arrangement with the Gorceys.”
Goddamn Gorcey, the idiot. Jack caught Cooper’s eye. “Find him.” Cooper nodded once and disappeared out the door.
“I’ll learn what happened,” he told Frank. “Gorcey is one of my men.”
“He should have been arrested and brought before a judge. If this were handled in the courts, then Mrs. Gorcey would have legal recompense.”
“And I prefer to handle it myself, seeing as how Gorcey is under my command.”
“Which makes Mrs. Gorcey dependent on you.”
“I suppose, though she has no reason to doubt my word that it will be handled.”
“You cannot possibly think to foresee every possibility. What if something happens to you? What if Gorcey jumps a train out west? She has no legal hold over receiving money from him.”