“Wrong?” her uncle asks.
“I was going to say anticlimactic, but we can go with that.”
“I don’t believe it. Foul play was definitely involved. My guy in Kazan has been digging deeper, following the money. Seems our crooked accountant racked up a lot of debt–mostly to the wrong people.”
“Which would explain the embezzlement,” I muse.
“It doesn’t explain how you got his book.” Blake cuts straight to the chase.
Hugh exhales his confession, “I arranged to have it stolen and brought to me. I wanted to see if I could figure out what he did with your inheritance.”
“Stolen by…” she urges.
“No one you know.” His expression is grim. “No one anyone would know… or will know.”
“It was the body.” My voice is quiet, and he nods briefly.
Pressing my lips together, another piece of the puzzle snaps into place.
“Stop!” Blake is on her feet. “Too much has happened, I’ve juggled way too much garbage for anyone to keep secrets. What body?”
The old man rounds the desk, placing both hands on her shoulders. “Calm down. It’s none of your friends or acquaintances–”
“Don’t tell me ignorance is safety. I’ve learned over and over these last few weeks knowledge is safety, and I need to know everything.”
Lowering his hands, the old man returns to his chair. “He was a minor player. His name was Andre something. Anyway, he got me the book, but when he delivered it, he got greedy. Figured he could make some money off it. He basically said I’d have to pay a certain amount above what we agreed to before he’d give it to me. I told him no, and he became violent.”
“He threatened you?” Anger tightens my chest. “This is why you should only run shit like this through me. We’re ready to handle it.”
“Well, my bodyguard handled it–a bit too forcefully, but it’s done now.”
Blake turns wide eyes on me. “You knew about this?”
“I knew a piece of this. Not everything.”
She stands, crossing her arms, but her uncle extends his hand. “Blake, please.” He starts to chuckle. “I’ve worked so hard getting you two together. You can’t fly off the handle over things you didn’t know.”
“Worked so hard.” She shakes her head, and I knew it.
“You did all this for us to be… in the same place?” I can’t say together. It’s so specific and way too soon.
The old man tilts his head thoughtfully. “I did all this because I’ve gone as far as I can with these guys. I’m too old and sick to fight gangsters, so I’m passing it to you two. I think you make a great team–in more ways than one.”
“So you invited Hana and me here, then you disappeared without a word so I’d be forced to stay with Hutch?” Blake’s voice rises.
“How else could I get you to see what I’ve seen for years? I wasn’t sure what it was going to take, but I’m glad to see a little forced proximity worked nicely.”
She exhales a frustrated growl. “You scared us to death.”
“Terror is a potent aphrodisiac, yes?” Her uncle winks, and I can’t even with him.
With a low exhale, I start, “You old–”
“Don’t say it!” He laughs, cutting me off.
“Where did you go?” she insists.
“I have a friend with a place near the Biltmore. He’d been offering it to me for years, and I figured it was a good time to follow up with him.”
“Biltmore.” Blake drops into her chair again. “You ditched us to go to the Biltmore?”
“I left you in very capable hands.” The old man lifts his chin, giving me a fond smile. “I’d trust Hutch with my life, even more with my two beautiful nieces.”
One beautiful niece in particular, who he’s been taunting me with for years. “I’m glad you’re back safely.” Calm is in my voice. “Still, it wasn’t right to scare us that way. You almost gave Norris a heart attack.”
“I’m sorry, my boy. I tried to send you the message that I was fine as soon as possible, without attracting unwanted attention.”
“But I don’t understand.” Blake’s brow furrows. “How did you know we were coming?”
“That was the easiest part. Once you checked in using the ticket I bought, I knew you were on the way, and I had to get out of the way so you could get together.”
“Sneaky old man,” Blake grumbles, going around to hug him. “You’re lucky I love you.”
“I love you. Your happiness is my highest priority.” He gives her a warm smile before turning to me. “Where do we stand on everything?”
Shifting into professional mode, I run down the latest. We fill Hugh in on the secondary, blackmail scheme.
“Dirk is monitoring the payment Blake transferred to the blackmailer. It’s possible they know we’re watching, because the money hasn’t moved. The account is a dummy–registered to a Jane Doe address in the Bahamas. We’ve set up an alert for any withdrawals, and I have a solid hunch on their point man in the states.”
“Good work.” Hugh nods, but Blake turns wide eyes to me.
“You didn’t tell me that. Who do you think it is?”
“Scar figured it out after our last dinner together. Grisha is the Russian diminutive for Greg.”
Her jaw drops, and she’s on her feet. “Greg is the blackmailer? But Trip said–”
“I don’t think Greg is the actual blackmailer, but I think he supervises the money laundering for this phony Russian investment group. The blackmailer could be any one of his lower-level flunkies.”
Fire is in Blake’s eyes, and I know what it means. Crossing the room, I take her hand, holding it firmly. “I know you’re angry, but you have to let me handle this.” She doesn’t answer, her jaw doesn’t relax, and I feel her vibrating with adrenaline. “Will you trust me, Blake?”
Her chest rises and falls with two deep breaths, and I know it’s a big ask. I know she’s spent a lifetime protecting her sister. It’s not an easy habit to break.
Blinking several times, she drops her chin. Her jaw relaxes, and she nods slowly.
“Yes.” It’s only a whisper, but it seals her place in my heart.
A low chuckle from behind the desk draws our attention.
I look up to see Hugh sitting back in his chair with a smug grin. “It’s all following the plan.”
Eccentric old coot. He’ll be the death of us.
Several hours later, Blake’s standing on my porch looking out at the oak trees. “I can’t possibly go out after all that’s happened.”
It’s a warm spring night, and she’s wearing a high-necked blue dress that leaves her arms bare. Her dark hair hangs in a wavy ponytail over her shoulder, and an ivory shawl is wrapped around her upper arms.
“We can’t sit around just waiting.” Stepping closer, I place my hand on her waist. She’s so beautiful in the periwinkle twilight. “I’d like to show you off.”
Her full lips press together, and pink brightens her cheeks. “I guess I should get to know the nightlife in Hamiltown a little better. Can Hana come? I’d like to see her having fun in a healthy way.”