Page 49 of Nothing But the Night (Basic Instincts 2)

“He’s a grifter. I know what he’s like, just let me handle him. I’ll make it clear this is the last penny he’s going to see.”

Marc sat on the end of the bed beside him. “This might shock you, but I’ve been a successful businessman for over twenty years. I know how to strike a deal and I can smell a bullshit artist from a mile away. I’ll pay Tyrone what he’s asking for today, but that’s in exchange for everything he knows, nothing less.”

Jason put a hand on his leg. “All I’m saying is this kid’s a shark. Your broken arm will be like blood in the water to him. He’ll sense weakness and exploit it.”

“Then he’s in for a big surprise, isn’t he.”

He could see there was no point in arguing any more. He understood Marc’s urgency to move on with the investigation, but there was already a target on his back. Whoever had come after them on Friday would likely try again. “Let me see if I can rearrange my appointments. I’ll come with you.”

“Ryman is already pissed off with you. He’ll go ballistic if you start neglecting your other duties. And I’d feel exactly the same in his position. Go to work, do your job and we’ll catch up later.”

“What if Tyrone was the driver on Friday? This could be a trap.”

“Do you think he is?”

Jason sighed. “In all honesty, no. He’s a thief, and a conman, but I doubt he’s violent. Physically, you could hold him down, even with a broken arm.”

“There you go then. Nothing to worry about. I’ll get him the cash, find out what he has to say, and tell you all about it tonight.”

Jason didn’t like any of it, but Marc would not be discouraged.

“Call me as soon as you get there. I want to be in on the meeting.”

“You mean if anything goes wrong I’ll have a witness.”

“Just do it. Please.”

Marc put his hand on top of Jason’s. “I promise.”

* * * *

The stairs to the first-floor office were trickier than Jason had predicted. After two days of rest, his sprained ankle didn’t feel any better and neither did his broken rib. The painkillers he’d taken with breakfast did little more than take the edge off. He gritted his teeth and gasped until he reached the top.

Ryman was waiting. The stern, angry face he’d prepared for Jason’s arrival, dropped at the sight of him.

“Shit, you look awful,” he said as Jason reached the reception desk.

Olivia jumped up from her chair and hurried to him. “My God, you do. You shouldn’t even be here, you should still be in bed.”

“She’s right,” Ryman said. They crowded around him. “I’m taking you straight home.”

“Guys, just back off, will you. Give me space. I don’t want to go home or go to bed. I’m here and I want to get on with things, okay. Don’t make a fuss.”

Undeterred, Olivia unbuttoned the top of his shirt and peeked down at his chest. She gasped on sight of his bruises and beckoned for Ryman to take a look.

“You’re black and blue all over,” she said.

“It’s worse than it looks.” A lie, but if he said it enough times he could almost believe it was true.

They continued to make a fuss. Olivia plied him with tea and biscuits, until he went through to Ryman’s office for their meeting.

The anger Ryman had been filled with yesterday seemed to have dissipated now they were face to face. He watched as Jason uncomfortably shrugged off his jacket and sat. “I really don’t think you should be here.”

“I want to be here,” Jason said. “I want to be doing something. If it gets too much, I’ll go home early, but right now, let’s just get on with things.” He was in half a mind to ask Olivia to cancel his afternoon appointments so he could go with Marc to see Tyrone, but Marc had already made his feelings clear. Work had to come first.

“I think you’d better start at the beginning,” Ryman said. “Tell me everything that’s been going on with this case.”

Jason did as he asked. He skipped over their visit to The Viaduct, but otherwise left nothing out. He told him everything about his relationship with Marc and how it had developed.

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