Page 79 of Silent Vendetta (Vendetta Duet)

Now wasn’t the time to confront a man who may have murdered my father, because I doubted I’d be able to control myself.

Yet the Moby Dick I had hunted my whole life was within my grasp.

“What’s his name?” I asked.

Barry opened up a file and inched it across the desk, waiting for me to read it.

Why does that name sound familiar?

It took me a second to place it. Out of context, it made no sense, was never connected to this case, but now, a terrible dread overcame me, drying my throat.

My voice broke in disbelief. “This…it can’t be.”

“It’s real, Mr. Lockwood.”

Holy shit.

There was no way in hell I wasnotheading to this guy’s address.

Right. Now.

CHAPTER36

Hunter

Icharged out of my office.

“What is it?” Grayson followed me.

“Barry, I’ll be in touch,” I said, opening my door and seeing him out.

The man looked at me and hesitated before leaving.

I shut the massive wooden door, and I turned my attention to Grayson.

“I need you to stay here and keep an eye on Luna for me. Can you do that?”

I walked toward the staircase.

“I’m not letting you confront some asshole alone, Hunter.”

“Grayson.” I stopped. Looked at my brother deadpan with a look that said, Don’t. Ask. Questions.

It wasn’t fair to evade them, but I’d have to explain later; I didn’t want him to come with me in case I went the murder route, and I needed to confront this guy and find out what the hell happened all those years ago. Before it was too late. I still didn’t know what it all meant, especially given who the man was, but my gut said it was bad.

Worse than I ever imagined.

Bam, bam, bam.

Grayson and I looked at the front door curiously.

“Mr. Lockwood,” Rinaldi’s voice shouted from the other side. “I need to have a word with you.”

Damn it all to hell. Now what?

When I opened my door again, I tried to hide my glare from Mayor Kepler and Detective Rinaldi, as well as my immense irritation that Sean was standing next to them on my front porch.

“Now is not a good time,” I said.

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