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Rory bit the inside of his cheek.

“What favour?” Morris asked.

Hamish didn’t turn away from Rory as he replied to Morris. “Rory shouldn’t even be a police officer.”

“What?”

“He failed his entrance exam repeatedly. When he failed for the third time—”

“Third?” Morris interrupted.

Rory lowered his head.

“Yeah, third,” Hamish repeated. “He begged me to help him, to tamper with the results, said he wanted to get in before his dad died—”

“That’s not how it was, you offered—”

“And you accepted, desperately I might add. You wanted to tell him you’d finally achieved your goal and got accepted into the police before he passed.”

Rory closed his eyes and pictured his dad’s face when he told him. Lying in the hospital, pale and frail, his face had lit up when Rory told him he’d finally got in.

His pride had been evident to see, and he’d grasped Rory’s hand tightly, spoke around the tube in his mouth and told Rory he loved him.

“You knew I’d ask for a favour in return,” Hamish mumbled. “And you…you seemed perfect for this.”

“Why?” Rory asked. He finally looked at Hamish and slightly narrowed his eyes. “Why am I perfect for this?”

Hamish got back to his feet.

“It doesn’t make sense, why me?” Rory asked.

Hamish didn’t answer, but Morris rolled her eyes.

“It’s obvious. You’re young, eager to please, and you’re gay, just like Sebastian. That’s why you’re perfect for this assignment—”

“Morris,” Hamish barked. “Enough!”

“Those were the reasons you gave me.” She shook her head. “I had no idea of this…favour exchange between the two of you. I thought you’d picked Rory because he was most likely to get under Sebastian’s skin.”

“You…you were offering me up like bait?” Rory said.

“Of course not. This is a great opportunity for your career, Rory,” Hamish said. “It’s a chance to prove yourself, and let’s not forget, you’re taking downSebastian Claw. You’re doing great, don’t give up now. Ollie is an unfortunate casualty, but there always are in war. You’ve got to look at the bigger picture. Remember why you’re trying to get close to Sebastian in the first place.”

Rory stared at Hamish blankly.

“To save the public from whatever terrible scheme he’s planning.” Hamish clicked his fingers. “I think it’s time for your phone call.”

Rory had never wanted to speak to Erica that badly in his life and snatched the phone from Morris as soon as she’d pulled it from her trousers.

He pressed down on her number while his hands shook and bit his lip as it rang.

Erica didn’t pick up.

Rory tried again, but she didn’t answer.

“Next time, maybe,” Morris said, holding out her hand.

Rory admitted defeat and gave it back to her.

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