Page 104 of Black Sheep

Her eyes narrow at me.

I ignore her, and I lean over and kiss Cleo’s cheek. “Don’t overstay lunch, or one of you is getting fired too.”

B snorts and rolls her eyes but again, her usual sassy comeback is lacking.

My journey from the roof bar is uneventful, but an overenthusiastic member who needs to be handled and reminded of the club’s rules takes me to the fourth floor for far longer than I prefer.

Fionnella is waiting for me for when I walk into my office. I decide not to guess how she cracked the door’s entry code. She still oozes harmlessness but her smile is considerably pared down.

My bubble of elation bursts. I grit my teeth and cross over to the drinks table adjacent to the sofas. “Drink?”

“Vodka tonic, thanks,” she says.

I fix her drink and pour a whisky for myself. My legs feel decidedly leaden when I take the seat opposite hers on the sofa. She sips her drink. I down mine in one go, contemplate another.

“Well?”

“I was wrong. You’re not doing all of this because of her. You want payback for yourself.”

I exhale. “Yes. And?”

She shrugs. “Trust me, I understand that too. Tell me about your connection to Taranahar.”

I relay the story, fast and emotionless.

She smiles. “Perfect.”

“Excuse me?”

“I suspected you were in the area. I didn’t know you witnessed it firsthand. Why haven’t you handed this baby to anyone?”

Bitterness shoots up my throat. “No one seems in a great hurry to take it. The first judicial inquiry was half-assed at best. It didn’t take much for it to fall apart”

She nods. “Don’t worry, we’ll get them in the mood this time around. After we’ve taken care of those responsible for the Bearwood Lake situation.” For the first time, I catch a note in her voice. Fionnella is on her own path for vengeance.

I shake my head. “I appreciate the offer but all I need is their identities. I’ll take care of the rest myself.”

She eyes me, a touch disappointed. “You sure?”

“It needs to play out my way.” Nothing else is acceptable.

“Fair enough. I have a few more questions, mostly to do with that happened after Bearwood.” She pulls out a pen and giant pad.

I give her what she needs. She scribbles rapidly. Her eyes narrow when she stops to probe deeper into Cleo’s Boston trip. Again when she asks about why I changed my mind and stayed at West Point following my decision to leave. I don’t go into details about Finnan’s video but she nods anyway.

Ten minutes later, she finishes her drink and stands. “Okay, that’s all for now. I’ll see what I can dig up, so to speak. I’ll be in touch by the weekend.”

“Three days? That’s all you need?”

She shakes her head. “No, I mean I should know what I’m dealing with by the weekend. This thing could take weeks, months even. But I have a little time on my hands now seeing as my employer is currently absorbed in other…matters.”

I recall the blonde with Quinn at the club last week. Elyse. Not his usual type. But they looked…good together. Hell, it was more than that. They looked combustible.

Fionnella hefts her purse on her shoulder. “In the meantime…” She pauses, presses her lips together. “You can tell me to mind my own business, but I’m going to say it anyway.” She ignores my crossed arms and raised eyebrows. “That room upstairs has its purpose in your life. But don’t let it become your sole purpose.”

“My choices are my own. I’m not going to debate them with you.”

“Your choices are no longer your own. And you’re already changing them for that sweet girl. By all means, let her see the monster you think you are. But it wouldn’t hurt to show her another side. Who knows, you might achieve that goal you think is elusive much quicker than you expect.”

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