Page 41 of Royal Flush

The words were matter of fact, said without emotion. They also seemed to choke him up given my callous delivery.

Which was exactly what I wanted.

I’d been the brother to wonder whether we’d been hasty in accepting who’d been deemed responsible. For all I knew, a bunch of people could have been involved. However, that wasn’t the point of this meeting either.

“Oh, God. I’m so sorry. How did it happen?” He actually almost looked sincere.

“Poison. My brothers and I will find the asshole responsible and when we do, there will be more than hell to pay.” It was my turn to lock my eyes on his. At least my upper lip was curled in a smirk. Someone might confuse my expression for a smile.

He didn’t.

Another flash of fear shifted into his system. “I hope you can, Braxton. He was a good man. I’m sorry we lost touch.”

There was no need to push the previous documentary on him any further.

“Yes, he was. Tough, especially on his three boys, but highly respected. We still aren’t certain why anyone would want him dead.”

I sensed he was about to laugh, giving himself away that he knew more than he wanted to let on, but he stopped just shy of doing that.

“Often, we don’t know every single detail about lives of those we care about.”

Bingo. He’d fallen into one of my traps.

“That is very accurate, Jameson. In fact, my father knew that better than almost anyone. In fact,” I allowed myself to laugh, even scratching the beard I’d started to grow, “he was the master of collecting information on those he worried could become lethal enemies.”

“Lethal? He was a film producer, for God’s sake. A highly respected one, other than the people who hated the beam placed on their lives.”

He knew damn good and well how powerful my father was, but his choosing to ignore the man’s former status added credence to the idea he was well aware my father had kept more than one little black book.

“Oh, he was much more powerful than that, Jameson. He could crush men’s balls without lifting a finger. I admired that about him, his ability to slide in like a predator, striking without warning. The good news is that both of my brothers and I learned his secrets and accepted this beautiful practice.” I allowed the words to hang in the air for a few seconds. “Anyway, I thought I’d stop and give my regards. I won’t take up any more of your valuable time. I hope your work is going well.”

He was slightly off his game for a few seconds, just long enough to know I’d struck a homerun. “Yes, it’s been extremely fulfilling.”

I nodded and started to walk away but couldn’t seem to help myself, hungering for one last scrap of information. Freebies were always good. “Incidentally. I understand we have a new Australian ambassador. What is his name?” I scratched the scruff on my face.

“Justin Sinclair.” He acted as if by saying the man’s name he was going to become infected with some plague. The inflection in his voice told me more than what he could say. “Pompous son of a bitch who in my mind forced his way into our country.”

“Ouch. Sounds like trouble,” I said, laughing on purpose.

“He is trouble. A real pontificating asshole who refuses to follow anyone’s rules. He will learn he can’t behave like a Neanderthal while here.”

He seemed to realize he’d likely said too much, hiding behind his glass and trying to calm his anger.

“Yes, well, men of great aspirations often do stupid things.”

“I am curious. Why the interest?”

“Why? He was another one of my father’s very good friends. I wasn’t certain if he’d heard the news about Pops.” I’d laid another piece of bogus groundwork, although my father’s secret diary of sorts had mentioned Justin’s name. Part of the inclusion had seemed cryptic, but I certainly hadn’t gathered he’d been close with the man.

Just like there was no love lost with Jameson either.

“Thankfully, the fucker isn’t here.” He took a deep breath, regaining all his bullshit composure. “Enjoy your stay in DC, Braxton. How long are you staying?”

“Oh, that depends on the business I have. Not long.”

I could tell it was on the tip of his tongue to ask what business I had going on in his beloved city, but he thought better of it.

It was a good thing. I wasn’t going to provide a single detail about any aspect of my life or the Royal Empire.

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