Page 44 of Hard Wired

“We have a lot to discuss,” Abrams said. “Is there someplace we could all sit down?”

Dominic led them into the living room. Maureen went to make coffee and find cookies in the pantry. But Dominic could hardly focus on being hospitable.

What the hell was Sandford doing here? He didn’t represent Dominic anymore, did he? That was what he’d said on the phone. Yet Sandford was smiling at him sympathetically, as if he actually cared that someone had tried to kill Dominic yesterday.

Lana sat on the edge of a chair, crossing her slender legs. She wore a gray pantsuit, and her brown hair was swept into a bun. “We’ve heard about the latest attempt on your life. I’m glad you and your housekeeper are all right. But next time, you might not be so lucky. If you’re willing to testify, we could arrange with federal authorities to get you into a safe house. Is that something you’d want?”

Before Dominic could answer, Sandford spoke over him. “My client and I have already had a chance to speak. Mr. Crane tells me he won’t be intimidated by these people and has no intention of abandoning his home.”

Dominic glared at him, but Sandford’s cold gaze warned him to keep his mouth shut.

“That’s not advisable,” Lana said. “Next time—”

Sandford’s eyes didn’t leave Dominic’s. “We’re confident there won’t be a next time. Isn’t that so, Mr. Crane?”

Dominic cleared his throat. He could almost hear the threat hidden in Sandford’s words: Step out of line, and next time it’ll be Raymond we go after. “I hope not.”

Stephen Abrams accepted a mug of coffee from Maureen. “Unfortunately, there’s the matter of the weapons found in your possession during yesterday’s incident. They aren’t registered, and your bail conditions expressly forbid you from possessing firearms in any case. We’re not going to file new charges at this time, but that could change. It depends.”

“On what?”

“On whether you seem interested in turning over a new leaf.” Lana tilted her head. “Dominic, do you really want to remain loyal to people who are trying to kill you? Or are you willing to do what’s right, so you can put your past behind you?”

Sandford was still glaring, but even if he wasn’t, Dominic wasn’t dumb enough to respond to Lana’s questions.

“Agree to testify against the Silverlake Syndicate,” Abrams said, “and we’ll wipe your slate clean. I’ve already been consulting with the US Attorney on this since any case against the Syndicate would likely be brought in federal court. She’s agreed you would have immunity on all federal charges as well. And they’re offering to protect you.”

Sandford laughed. “It’s all well and good for you and the US Attorney to make grand promises. But Dominic is the one who’ll suffer if you fail. I doubt you actually care about that.”

Lana narrowed her eyes at the man. “I assure you, we do. We take care of our witnesses.”

“My client has nothing to say about any Syndicate. He’s never been involved with any such organization. And he doesn’t know who’s been targeting him.”

“Is that true, Dominic?” Lana’s tone conveyed that she already knew the answer. So there was no point in lying to her. But he certainly couldn’t tell the truth.

He said nothing.

As the two district attorneys were leaving, Lana stopped to shake his hand. “Take care of yourself. I hope you’ll change your mind.” She’d placed a piece of paper against his palm. Dominic stuck it into his pocket.

Sandford stood beside him while the others drove away.

As soon as they were gone, Dominic turned and grabbed Sandford around the throat. “It was you, wasn’t it? You think I’m just going to sit here like a fucking lapdog and wag my tail while you shit on me?”

Sandford clawed at Dominic’s hand. “Your uncle,” he wheezed. “Not me.”

He gave the man’s neck another squeeze and dropped him. Sandford stumbled back into a porch pillar, coughing. Dominic wasn’t worried about any neighbors seeing. The houses up here in the hills were too spread out. Privacy was paramount.

“It was a message from your uncle. And when he hears about what you just did to me—”

“Like Charles gives a fuck about you. You’re replaceable.” Dominic had never killed anyone with his own hands, but right now he was tempted.

“His people are watching you on video right now. So go ahead, show them how defiant you are. They’ll send those same men who were here yesterday, only this time they won’t just scare you. They’ll finish the job.”

Dominic glanced up at the plastic eye above his door. “So it was you causing the problems with the security system? You’re the one who told me to install a Bennett alarm in the first place. Did you do something to Sylvie’s computer, too?”

Sandford was loosening the collar of his shirt. “Believe it or not, your uncle doesn’t tell me everything he’s planning. I take orders just like everyone else. But he made it clear to me that you’d better sit here and stay quiet. You’ve seen how easily Charles could take you out. His men aren’t like the amateurs who went after you before. And just imagine what a piece of cake it would be to walk into Raymond’s dorm.”

Dominic flexed his hand, longing to take out his anger and frustration on this man.

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