Page 111 of Mafioso's Muse

Four confused people stared back at him.

‘All right,’ Mary said, leaning back. ‘Then the next logical question iswhy.’

Vaughn looked straight at Harrison. ‘To make it look like DeLuca Construction had failed to do the job they were paid for. To make me the guilty party. To sever my working relationship with Nigel and Victoria Ballet. And to destroy—forever—my relationship with Miss Hayes.’

Colour rose up Harrison’s neck like flames. ‘Have you lost your mind? We understand that your little group is good at evading blame, but this is one of the wildest stories I’ve ever heard. No one is going to believe you or your bogus report.’

Willow sat frozen in her chair, the tips of her fingers digging into her thighs. Itwasthe wildest story she had ever heard—and yet she so wanted it to be true.

Vaughn turned his attention back to the board members. ‘The next page is a copy of Mr Walsh’s phone records.’

All colour drained from Harrison’s face. ‘How dare you?—’

‘They include a number of phone calls between Mr Walsh and Michael Davidson,’ Vaughn continued, cutting him off. ‘Mr Davidson’s a builder formerly employed by Hammerstone Construction. He was let go a few months back due to repeatedly fronting up at work intoxicated.’

Willow’s gaze snapped to Harrison, whose panic-stricken face seemed to confirm his guilt. ‘You?’ Her mouth was so dry. ‘You had someone destabilise the stage?’

‘Of course not!’ Harrison shouted, shooting up from his chair. He jabbed a finger in Vaughn’s direction. ‘This is what thugs like him do. This is how they get away with unthinkable crimes. Phone calls to builders organising quotes for renovations atmyhome isn’t proof of anything.’

Vaughn blinked. ‘It is when that same builder is seen on security footage entering the theatre after hours—wearing a DeLuca shirt. No one would have questioned that.’ He raised his chin slightly. ‘You really did think of everything—except the possibility of Willow getting injured. I’m certain that has gnawed at your perverted mind since it happened.’

Mary turned the page to look at an attached photograph, then removed her glasses. Her face was ashen when she looked up. ‘Is this true, Mr Walsh? Did you do this?’

All the air seemed to disappear from the room.

‘You cannot be seriously asking that,’ Harrison snapped.

Caroline flinched at his aggressive tone.

Realising his mistake, he raised his hands in a calming gesture. ‘Apologies. You can see how much these ridiculous allegations are impacting me.’

Willow pressed a hand to her stomach when she recognised guilt on his face. ‘Piper’s career is over because of what you’ve done. There are two others doing intensive rehabilitation, desperate to reverse the damage done to their bodies.’ Her eyes sank shut as the facts settled. ‘How could you?’

‘Oh, of course you would believehim,’ Harrison hissed. ‘You couldn’t climb into bed with him quick enough.’ His professional mask had well and truly fallen off at this point.

‘That’s enough,’ Vaughn said in a tone that had the room falling silent. He would never sit quietly while Harrison spoke to her that way. He had done well to remain in his chair.

The shock was too much for Willow. She was drowning in this new betrayal.

‘You need to take this information to the police,’ Nigel said to Vaughn. ‘They can review it and decide the best course of action.’

Harrison looked like a puppy who’d been kicked.

‘The police already have it,’ Vaughn said coolly. ‘I delivered everything to the station before I came here this morning.’

Harrison’s face contorted. ‘You slimy bastard.’

‘Mr Walsh,’ David said, a warning in his tone.

Vaughn rose slowly from his seat so that they were eye level with each other. ‘You’ve been caught, Harry. You tried to set me up, destroy my reputation, my family’s business, and my relationship. You sent your own dancers to the hospital, betrayed your employer, brought profits to a grinding halt, and destroyed the company’s reputation perhaps forever. All in an attempt to keep something that never belonged to you.’

Angry tears filled Harrison’s eyes. Losing tears.

The door opened, and two police officers stepped into the boardroom, surveying the scene before them. Harrison paled even more, if that was possible. Beads of sweat were visible on his brow and upper lip.

‘Which one of you is Harrison Walsh?’ one officer asked.

Willow sat frozen in her chair, unable to move or speak. She couldn’t believe what was unfolding.

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