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The second Aiden hit the gas, Fred sagged against the seat. “That was exhausting.”
“Funerals usually are.” I offered him a small smile.
“I was speaking with Snow. I’d like to set up a meeting with the head of the Bleeding Angels. If they’re innocent in all of this, I’d think they’d want to know who was trying to frame them. They’d be good eyes to have on the street as well.”
“I think that’s smart. We can arrange a neutral meeting place.”
“Are you sure that’s wise? What if they’re working for whoever did this and give them a heads up?” Aiden offered as he turned onto the highway.
“I’m getting nowhere as is. This is a risk, sure, but my gut is telling me it’s right.”
Aiden snorted. “Your gut? Come on, Fred.”
“It’s all I really have right now, Aiden. Uncle Sean told me to trust it, and I’m going to.”
“And see how good trusting his gut got him,” Aiden snapped, and it was so out of character that Fred gasped at the same time I snapped my head in his direction.
“Uncalled for!” I growled.
Fred’s color turned even paler than he already was.
“Maybe it is, but check out where he is.” Aiden narrowed his eyes at me through the mirror.
“I think we’ve heard enough out of you.” I hit the button on the door, raising the privacy separator. Just before it closed Aiden shouted, “Don’t you dare.”
But I did dare. I locked it so he couldn’t push it down, and faced Fred.
“Fred.” I spoke softly, but he either didn’t hear me or was ignoring me. He stared at the partition as if he could still see Aiden’s face.
“Don’t listen to anything that comes out of Aiden’s mouth. Perhaps he’s grieving, and anger is at the forefront of his emotions. That doesn’t excuse what he said, however.”
“Is he right, though?” Fred stared at his hands that were folded on his lap. “I mean Uncle Sean is dead, and maybe he wouldn’t be if he listened to his gut.”
“Look at me, Fred.” He didn’t, so I gently tilted his head up so he met my gaze. There was no brattiness there, and I didn’t like it. “It’s your uncle’s gut and reflexes that kept you alive and sitting here. Don’t diminish his sacrifice because someone shouted lies to you.”
“Lies,” he whispered. “So many lies.”
I nodded. “There are too many. We’ll expose them all.”
Fred tilted his head a little higher, disconnecting our touch. I found I liked feeling the man.
“We? Are you so sure that’s wise?”
I sat back, giving Fred some space. “I think it’s not only wise but necessary.”
“Is that right?” A spark of that brattiness shone through, and I smiled.
“You’d be lost without me.”
Fred rolled his eyes. “Well, look at that—I’ve exposed a lie.”
A laugh barreled out of me. “You have jokes.”
“I have a lot of things.”
He was happier now, and it felt as if I’d just won the most prestigious award in the world.
“I will have to agree with you on that for sure.” I peered out the window and saw we were pulling into the driveway of my house. “I had food prepared. I know you didn’t get a chance to eat much.”
