Page 43 of Master Vidar & Vali

The entrance of the Gentlemen’s Whiskey club didn’t disappoint with double oak doors, brass handles, and a discreet plaque with the club's name inscribed into the brass. A man stood behind an intricately carved podium surrounded by dark wood paneling. The room held luxurious chairs of deep burgundy softly lit by antique brass sconces.

“You must be Mr. Kane’s guests. Please follow me.”

Colin and I both nodded though it was strange to hear our friend’s last name. He was always so informal it rarely came up. The gentleman led us through the main lounge and past the impressive whiskey display. It stretched along one wall, a glass-fronted cabinet showcasing bottles that seemed to glow with trapped sunlight, illuminated softly from below. Labels from legendary distilleries and rare vintages were arranged with meticulous care.

Behind the bar, crystal decanters and glassware sparkled on dark wooden shelves. I knew each glass was designed to enhance the whiskey experience. The air was rich with the scent of aged wood and a hint of smoke. For the extreme price tag of their monthly membership, the owners created an atmosphere that was more than just a bar—it was a sanctuary where time slowed, and wealthy men could enjoy the art and tradition of whiskey.

At the back, the man opened a leather-covered door and gestured us inside. It was a private tasting room and its elegance matched the rest of the club. Dark wood floors, covered by what I guessed was a vintage Persian rug, and walls lined with bookshelves filled with leather-bound volumes on whiskey and related subjects. Seated at a central table in a comfortable chair, was Jared. Next to him was a stranger. A fit man in a three-piece bespoke Brioni suit like the one Bond wore inCasino Royale.

Jared’s eyes narrowed as he took us both in. The man was too observant on the worst of days. There was no way he wouldn’t realize something was wrong.

“Trouble in paradise?”

Colin’s jaw clenched. “We’re fine.”

“We will be fine once we know why you called us here.” I looked between Jared and his friend. Jared sat back and steepled his fingers. A sure sign that he was up to something, and I wasn’t in the mood for his games.

Out of our group of friends, Jared was the biggest mystery to me. The only one that might know more about him was Declan, another closed-mouthed individual. Other than Colin, Jared was the only man I would scene with since our tastes ran in parallel. We were both sadists, although his tendencies ran much darker than my own. That didn’t mean I knew him well.

“Gentlemen,” the man I didn’t know said in a British accent and gestured to the other chairs. Well shit, he even sounded like James Bond.

Colin and I sat, but both of us were coming close to being out of patience, and Jared could tell.

“Lincoln, Colin, this is my friend William Tyndale. We met years ago at the Rome location of this very club.” The door opened and a waiter came in. “I took the liberty of ordering us beverages.”

So if nothing else, William had more money than sense. One night after a few too many drinks, I’d asked Jared if the club was a front for something else, because who the hell would spend ten thousand dollars a month to drink whiskey. He’d laughed and told me I was crazy. That as a barbarian I couldn’t understand the finer things in life. Jared was considered one of the top whiskey entrepreneurs in the world. His personal collection was well insured.

“Please try my selection.” Jared smiled as the waiter placed glasses with liquid the color of pure honey in front of us.

I picked up the glass knowing we would get nowhere until we tried it. Playing his game, I swirled the liquid slowly in the glass and took in a breath. The rich aroma was mostly oak with a hint of fig. I took a small taste and was extremely impressed by the velvety feel that coated my tongue. It had a hint of dark chocolate and vanilla with a cinnamon finish.

“It’s good.” I placed the glass back down on the table. “Enough games. How can your friend help us?”

Jared grinned at me, and I just knew whatever he was about to say would change everything.

“I reached out to William when Gabe mentioned that even the great Lincoln Davis has been unable to find the whereabouts of the Albanians searching for your fair maiden.”

I could do without his theatrics but knew rushing him would be a mistake. Unfortunately, Colin didn’t understand Jared as well as I did.

“And what would a whiskey taster know about such things?” Colin scowled at both men. Instead of being intimidated, they both smiled.

“William is connected to the royal family and, as such, has connections with MI5. He pulled some strings and found the whereabouts of your nasty Albanian mobsters.”

“Then what are we sitting here for?” Colin stood. “Give us the address and we’ll go and get them.”

“Sit down, Colin; where’s your manners? William has flown in from England to share this information with you.”

“Fine.” Colin sat and tossed back his drink. We all winced as he treated what was probably a thousand or more dollars of whiskey like it was a body shot.

This was going to be a long and annoying conversation, but if it was going to get us the information, I would play whatevergame they wanted. Hopefully, Colin would keep his temper in check.

Chapter Eighteen

Colin

Despite the annoying games, our meeting with Jared and his friend William had proven fruitful. It had taken almost an hour to drag the specifics out of him, but he not only knew who the players were, but where they were staying. He was also able to tell us that Mihal was in the country to retrieve his wayward bride. It grated on my nerves that they had found what we couldn’t, but I would forever be grudgingly grateful to my brother’s best friend.

There was something about him and William that made me think that William was way more than he professed to be and Jared knew it. If I had time or cared more, I’d try to unravel the mystery man, but I had enough in my life to worry about without trying to figure out what my brother’s best friend was into.

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