Page 97 of The Cinderella Secret
MacKentier grunted in displeasure.
“And not only does it annoy the fuck out of me to cave on any point at all, it pisses me off to think that this shit is going to meander on for another six months. We’ve already got Granger and Absolex for that. I don’t need two pending court cases.”
“I see your problem. I’m not sure I see how I can help,” said Charlie.
“As I said—Aiden’s handling this. But the thing about Aiden is that he really is Prince Charming. He fights fair, above-board and legal.”
“And you don’t?”
“No percentage in it,” said Jackson, stubbing out his cigarette in the bowl. “But here’s what I’ve been thinking about—Bo’s daughter, the pretty little Ella Zhao.”
“What about her?”
“I’ve done some research. She’s also got lawyer brains coming out her ears, but she’s got some funny little hobbies.”
“My research didn’t turn up any hobbies,” said MacKentier, and Jackson grinned.
“I may have a slightly more far-reaching…” he paused as if searching for the right word, “research team.”
“I take it these are hobbies that she might not want to have everyone know about?”
“Exactly those kind,” said Jackson.
“Do tell.”
“She likes to attend illegal fights and she likes illegal fighters to attend her, if you know what I mean.”
Charlie’s eyes sparkled and he smiled a shark toothed grin.
“It’s exactly the kind of thing that could get her disbarred and would upset her meal-ticket uncle a great deal. I want to make her an offer. Basic carrot or stick options. If she takes the carrot, then she’ll cave on the case and everyone goes home. And if she takes the stick, well…” Jackson shrugged. “I don’t think she’ll test me. But either way I can’t have Aiden know about it. So I can’t use any of the people I would usually use.”
“I’m not funding your buy off,” said MacKentier.
Jackson waved his hand and reached for the cigarette pack again. “Don’t worry about that. Evan runs the finances, and he’s with me.”
“Of course he is,” said Charlie with a nostalgic expression.
“No, coming up with cash isn’t a problem. What I need is someone to speak to her for me. Someone who knows the problem and has an interest in making sure everything goes right.”
“Ah,” said Charlie. “And you were thinking that could be me?”
Jackson shrugged as he went through the ritual of tapping out a cigarette and lighting up. His fingers remembered the movements with a happy familiarity, but his lungs were already starting to protest. Quitting was a better decision than he’d realized.
“I’m not sure I’m the man for the job,” said MacKentier, and Jackson laughed.
“Charlie, you’re the only man for the job. Do you really want me to suggest to Aiden that you should go on the stand and testify under oath that Bo wasn’t an employee?”
“Dad was in charge back then,” said Charlie easily. “I really wouldn’t remember everyone’s employment status.”
“I found a great picture of you and Randall the other day in the Deveraux storage unit,” said Jackson. “Or should I say a picture of you, Randall, and Bo. It seemed like you all knew each other pretty well.”
“I suppose we did,” said Charlie icily. “That doesn’t mean I kept track of their projects or status.”
“Mmm-hm. You know,” continued Jackson, “it was amazing how many old DevEntier records they had stashed away in that storage unit.”
Charlie’s eyes narrowed. “If you have DevEntier records, you need to return them. They’re DevEntier property.”
“It’s also amazing how many DevEntier records from those days haveaccidentallygotten destroyed,” said Jackson. “I think they’re probably safer if they stay with me.”
