I couldnt disclose information provided to me in my capacity as legal
Spare me the speech on attorney-client privilege. You havent billed Nikki for every conversation youve had over the past five years.
Shaun sighed. I know she wanted to tell you.
Colin raked his hands through his hair again. Hed been back in Fairweather less than forty-eight hours, and already his life bore little resemblance to the one hed left behind in Texas.
It had been Detective Brocks suggestion that he get away, and Colin had been grateful to do so. He was tired of always looking over his shoulder, always wondering what might
be around the next corner. Hed come back to Fairweather for some downtime, to talk to his ex-wife. His plans had been simple.
Now that he was here, it seemed hed only exchanged one set of complications for another. Nothing was simple anymore.
Whats she like? he asked after a long pause. Then, to clarifyand to try the name out, Carly.
His brother smiled. She has your eyes, and all of the famous McIver charm.
Colin smiled, pleased to know there was something of himself in his daughter.
Is sheis she happy?
Shes an incredibly happy and well-adjusted child.
Colin cleared his throat, to ease the sudden tightness. Maybe she doesnt need a father, he said. Not a father like me, anyway.
What does that meana father like you?
He pushed himself up from the chair. Just that I dont know anything about being a father. I know nothingless than nothing, evenabout kids.
Most fathers are novices the first time around.
ButGod, Ive never even thought about having kids.
Well, youd better start thinking about it, his brother said practically. Because youve got one now.
Did you Colin hesitated, almost afraid to finish the question. Did you tell her not to tell meabout the baby?
No. Shaun grinned. In fact, I advised her to go after you for child support.
Chapter 3
He wished he had some of his pills, just to take the edge off. Even one pill. One pill would at least reduce the agony to a dull ache.
The guard had given him an aspirin, as if that would make a difference. He closed his eyes as the pain struck again, exhaled slowly. It was a good thing he wasnt going to be here very long.
And when he got out, hed make Jonesy pay for ratting him out. He didnt doubt for a minute that it had been Jonesy who had turned on him.
McIver had picked Jonesy up from Detroit on a mid-season trade. Hed scored seven goals in his first ten games with the Tornadoes, and after Duncans accident, hed been moved up to Duncans line to fill the vacant position. It was supposed to have been a temporary move, just until Duncan was back.
But McIver kept Jonesy in the starting line. As the team neared play-offs, Jonesy was getting at least twice the ice time Duncan got.
Hed made the mistake of shooting off his mouth in The Thirsty Duck one night after their play-off run had ended. Not to Jonesyhe and the pretty boy from Michigan werent that close. But Jonesy had been there, and Duncan had been furious enough to rant indiscriminately about his intention to make McIver pay.
Jonesy mustve figured hed be guaranteed Duncans place in the lineup next season if Duncan was behind bars.
And now, because of a few ill-chosen words and the subsequent explosion at McIvers apartment, Duncan was a guest of the local correctional facility on charges of uttering threats. He knew the cops expected to pin the bombing on him. He also knew that they didnt have any evidence against him, nor would they find any. Because he hadnt done it.
If hed planned to blow McIver away personally, he would have bought a gun and been done with it. He might even have enjoyed it. But no way would he have tried to build a bomb. Hell, hed known a guy in high school who lost two fingers on one hand because hed been playing with a firecracker.
Duncan shook his head. It was too much of a risk. His hands were his livelihood, his life. He wasnt as big as some of the guys, he wasnt as quick on his feet as others, but give him the puck and he could skate circles around all of them. Hed been admired for his fast hands since hed started playing junior hockey at fourteen years of age. No way in hell would he risk his biggest asset.
You had to be nuts to play around with explosives.
Which is exactly what hed told the cop whod arrested him.
As the excruciating pain in his back eased a little, he smiled up at the bare ceiling. No, he wasnt the type who got his kicks playing with explosivesbut he knew someone who was.
And Boomer had been more than happy to take care of Duncans problem. He didnt worry about being ratted out. Boomer had been in the business more than fifteen years, with only two arrests and no convictions. He was a man who took pride in his work and his reputation,
and Duncan trusted him to get the job done. Which was another reason he didnt mind being locked up right nowhed have an irrefutable alibi when McIvers body was found.
Nikki was up with the sun Saturday morning after a sleepless night. She knew her conversation with Colin the previous evening had barely scratched the surface of the issue, and the next round of conflict was inevitable. So she was almost relieved to find him at her door before nine oclock.