Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Iona
Dismay weighs down my heart as I receive another text on my burner phone on Friday morning: “Tell Diran these are the names on the Lowing list that Leith is withholding from him.” There follow eight names of individuals and companies.
“When Diran asks why Leith refuses to reveal them, say these partners want no more business with the Syndicate. As long as they aren’t exposed to the public eye, they’re okay with this.
If Diran asks what’s taking Leith so long on the Lowing case, mention his hunt for Phyfe MacGilson.
Find a way to add that Leith is drawing out the case to make it look more difficult, so he has a better shot at being Syndicate boss. ”
What is this Lowing list Diran and Galiene keep referring to? Maybe I can find a way to subtly inquire of Leith without getting in trouble with Galiene and whoever she’s working with.
And what is the ultimate purpose of all these leaks to Diran?
If only I knew a bit more about what’s going on behind the scenes, I might be able to turn the tables on Galiene and her backers.
For lunch with Diran, Leith puts out an ivory lace sheer A-line midi dress for me. Once more I’m gobsmacked by his impeccable taste. And I’m guiltier than ever to be secretly undermining him when he’s so generous.
I feel like a royal as Leith hands me out of the car and escorts me into Banyan. Leith himself is devastatingly handsome in a black two-piece with a peach shirt that’s open at the top, giving admirers a peep of his bronzed chest.
Toward the end of our meal, Diran asks Leith to make a call to someone on Diran’s behalf, and Leith steps outside. I blush, realizing Diran has orchestrated things so we’re alone.
“How are things coming with the Lowing case, Iona?” He drains his whisky.
I swallow. “Shouldn’t you be asking Leith that?”
His penetrating gaze frightens me, drilling into me and reducing my insides to rubble. “Leith had very little to offer on that front today. Now I’m asking you.”
I take a deep breath. “There are eight names he plans to withhold from you. Fast and Friendly Freight, Marcus Industries, Thierry Gourmet Foods . . .” I continue naming the companies and individuals listed on my phone.
Diran’s eyes darken. “Why does he refuse to divulge those names?”
Under the table I wipe my clammy palms on the skirt of my dress. “They don’t want to be exposed to the public, so they’re severing their partnership with the Syndicate.”
Diran’s jaw pulses. “Any idea why Leith is taking so long to conclude this case?”
“He’s working on his own murder case, for one,” I say defensively. “He also has to hunt down my biological father, Phyfe MacGilson. He’s gone missing, but he has some important information about my past.”
Diran watches me closely, waiting for more.
I munch on my lower lip, steeling myself to take the plunge. “To be honest, he also wants to draw out the case so it looks more difficult and he has a better shot at attaining the boss position.”
Diran’s brow flies up. “Has he now? That’s very devious of him. Iona, I’d like you to come with him to the bar when we next meet on Tuesday evening.”
As he says this, Leith swaggers over, and I feel like the world’s lowest worm. Have I just sold him out? Impenetrable as Diran is, I can still tell he’s displeased.
Leith himself is godlike as ever. And the flicker of his gaze suggests he knows something important has transpired between me and Diran.
He settles in his seat, dividing a glance between us. “What did I miss?”
“Your wife was just regaling me with tales of your honeymoon in London.” Diran polishes off his whisky. “Now sadly, I must be going.” He gives Leith a pointed look. “I’m driving down to Birmingham.”
Leith pushes to his feet as Diran stands. “I’ll keep you updated.”
“Do that.” Diran gives a decisive nod, straightens his jacket, and strides toward the door.
Leith sits down again, angling his body to mine and crossing his legs. “What did you really talk about?”
I use this as my in. “I told him I had no clue what this Lowing list is or what you both mean by the Lowing case.”
Leith takes a sip of whisky. “What did he say?”
I fold my arms on the table. “He said I should ask you.”
Smiling, he reaches up and dabs something off the side of my mouth.
“The Lowing list contains the names of important partners the Syndicate has done business with over the years—in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Liverpool, and Manchester. Diran and Callum want to expand the Syndicate into the latter three cities, so the list is especially important now. But it got into the wrong hands and eventually the COPFS obtained it. Now they’re withholding it and forcing the fight over ownership to go to trial.
The Syndicate doesn’t just want all those contacts—it wants to save the reputations of those partners from public scrutiny.
The COPFS wants the Syndicate’s heads on a platter. ”
That explains Diran’s pointed tone when he mentioned Birmingham. He was silently taking Leith to task for dragging out the case that’s critical for expanding the Syndicate.
I scrunch my brow, trying to fit all this into what I surmised already. “But you know the names of some of the partners on the list?”
“Galiene and I have been working to re-create the list as best we can, to make sure the Crew safeguards those people’s reputations.”
I’m pretty sure Galiene has no such goal.
“Have you re-created the list?” I venture.
He shoves his fingers through his lush mane. “After the first few names things have slowed. Admittedly, I put Galiene on a number of other tasks, and plenty has cropped up for me.”
It’s frightening how much he trusts her. I long to out her, but if I did, I have no doubt I’d find myself in prison in no time.
I’ll have to wait till the moment is right.
“You ready to go see your sis?” Leith pushes to his feet and holds out a hand.
“Aye.” I’m nervous, honestly. Will I be able to hide from Skye the fact that Leith has threatened my life and is keeping me under house arrest?
Leith sees me to Renfrew, where Lachlan and Skye live, and gives me a sultry kiss. “Remember, sweetheart. If you try to run or get Skye or Lachlan to help you, I’ll release that information about Lowden and Yvaine.”
Shuddering, I nod. “I remember.”
How odd it is that I’ve gotten used to toggling between Blackmail Leith and Tender Leith, Killer Leith and Devoted Leith.
Climbing out of the car, I run into the arms of Skye, who flies down the front path and collides with me.
We bob up and down and sway back and forth, squealing with glee.
She shows me what they’ve done with the sprawling Victorian house since I stayed here, before they got married.
Like Leith, Lachlan enjoys his home bars.
I exclaim over the additional party space, the way they’ve further opened out the already-massive, airy kitchen, and the gorgeous garden flanked by three wings of the house, which Skye has had landscaped.
In the garden a wrought-iron table has been set with dishes and utensils, and Edwina comes out holding a tray. An older woman with dyed-black hair pulled back in a tight bun, she wears her usual jeans and cotton blouse.
Skye opens a palm. “Iona, Edwina is no longer just our housemaid and cook. She’s also our moral guide.”
Edwina chuckles, setting out a teapot, creamer, and sugar bowl. “I’m not so sure about the last. No one pays my advice any mind around here.”
“That’s not true, Edwina!” Skye protests. “When I got the sty on my eye, you warmed up a potato for me and had me hold it in a rag against the pimple three times a day. It went away in two days.”
“Aye, well that’s just common sense.” Edwina leads us back into the kitchen, where we help her bring out the rest of the tea things. “I assumed you two would be hungry, so I made you Yorkshire puddings, salmon sandwiches, and custard.”
“Thank you, Edwina.” Skye kisses her cheek, and Edwina leaves us alone. “Sit, sis. Are you hungry?”
“I shouldn’t be, since I ate lunch an hour ago.” I fold myself in a chair. “But I only had salad, and that was after Leith and I did a gym workout. So I can eat.”
Stirring her tea, Skye gets right to the point. “How are things with Leith?”
“Good.” I drop a sugar lump in my tea, deciding to confide in her about something non-Galiene-related that’s been worrying me. “He wakes up from nightmares almost every night, but he won’t tell me what they’re about. Any ideas on how to get him to open up?”
Skye frowns in thought. “I think all you can do is be supportive of him so he opens up to you when he’s ready.”
I take a sip of tea. “His unconscious seems to be working overtime. I’m not sure if the nightmares are always about the same things, but they affect him pretty strongly.”
She lays a hand over mine. “You only just married. Give it some time. He’ll come to trust in you.”
I wonder.
“Do you trust in him?” she surprises me by asking.
The thought of the burner phone burning a hole in my handbag makes me shudder. “I trust him to protect me.”
From everything he knows about.
From everyone but himself.
Her eyes flare. “Do you trust him with your deepest secrets?”
I think of how I confided in him about That Night. “Aye. I do.”
She gives a grave nod. “Then you two have a solid foundation for trusting in each other.”
I laugh. “My wise younger sis. Giving me the check of approval.”
She tilts her head. “Your husband is in the Syndicate. I’m not surprised he doesn’t readily open up. On top of that, he’s a lawyer. They’re notoriously tight-lipped.”
I think of the Horizons article snafu and wince. “He does value discretion and loyalty.”
She squeezes my hand. “Both of which you have in spades. He’s lucky to have you, babes.”
“I might say the same of Lachlan and you.” I dip my head, looking up at her. “Are you happy?”
The stars in her eyes dazzle me as her lips curve in a dreamy smile. “Far more than I ever thought I could be.”