Page 128 of Wicked Brutal

“He’s getting too comfortable.”

“There’s a difference between comfortable and stupid.”

Dad takes another bite. “Is the Chairman attached to Palm Beach?”

Victor doesn’t answer immediately. “Everything is attached to the Chairman eventually.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

“No, it isn’t.”

Dad watches him. Victor reaches for his water. “Ashford was told London.”

“By you?”

“By Mercer.”

“And Mercer got it from?”

Victor gives him a look. “The same place we all get it from.”

“So the Chairman.”

Victor doesn’t confirm it. He doesn’t need to.

I keep eating. Ashford. London. Palm Beach. Mercer. Bellamy. Hollis. Ellison Foundation. The Chairman. I repeat each one inside my head.

“Why did Ashford change it?” Dad asks.

“That’s what I’m trying to determine. He claims Vane called Thursday night and told him London was compromised.”

“Was it?”

“No.”

“Then why would Vane tell him that?”

“He says he didn’t.”

Dad frowns. “One of them is lying.”

“Obviously.”

Dad lowers his voice. “Where is Ashford?”

“Palm Beach.”

“You said that. Where?”

“The Marlow.”

“The hotel?”

“Club.”

“And the package?”

“Safe.”