Page 118 of Forbidden Wish
“Still trading on McLeod’s name?” he asked. “Dangerous.”
She frowned. “Why is it dangerous?”
“You just broke the guy’s heart.”
“I did not. He was surprised, that’s all. Anyway, Lachlan’s not like that. He’s not angry or malicious.”
“Guys change in a whole helluva way when they’re hurting.”
“Not Lachlan. He’d never turn his back on anyone.”
“Mr. Honorable.”
“You say that as if you don’t like him.”
“I don’t know him, Genny. I’m sure he’s a great guy.”
Though he didn’t sound convinced. “Let’s just get there and see how it plays out. Maybe we don’t have to talk to anyone at all.”
“This isn’t a good idea.”
“What other choice do we have?” she asked Jagg as he took a corner. “We need to know what’s going on.”
“They won’t let us just waltz in.”
“We can watch. Maybe they’ll bring something interesting out.”
“The cops worked fast on this.” Through the night possibly. “This fire’s a jackpot for them.”
“Why does that piss you off?” she asked. “You were a jerk to Lachlan. Like him or not, the man is just doing his job.”
“Didn’t think you’d…”
“What? Tell him about us? I got that earlier.”
“That why you told him?”
“I don’t want him finding out from someone else. My dad, he’ll find out from someone else, whatever, but Lach and I were… He’ll always be important to me, Jagg. Isn’t there anyone from your past you still care about?” His lack of response caught her attention. “You didn’t think I’d tell him, did you?”
“I didn’t expect you to do it right there.” He sighed. “I’ve gotta talk to Strat.”
“Oh, so now who’s worried about Dad finding out?” she asked, ready to needle him a little until the wail of sirens razed the air. Two police cars shot past them, speeding to the junction and going straight through a red. “That can’t be good.”
“Always at the center of the story,” he muttered, stopping at the light.
Digging out her phone, she dialed fast. “No, but I know someone who is.”
He picked up on the second ring. “Steeple.”
“What is going on around the Carlyle?” she asked her boss. “I’m a couple of blocks away.”
“Heard you got caught up in it last night.”
“I’m not surprised you heard,” she said, pressing her finger into her other ear, trying to block out more sirens. Jagg didn’t move as the lights changed. His eyes were in the rearview then… three more cars shot past them, sirens wailing. “There’s something going on around here right now.”
“Yeah, there’s been tension all day. Carlyle’s off-limits. Fire investigators are still inside, cops swarming everywhere. Course the Manzani guys are sticking close. Silvio’s got an army of lawyers out there… Someone was bound to throw a punch.”
“As long as that’s all there is. We’re heading that way now—”
