Bloody hell. What now?
He opened the door. The late-afternoon sun slanted through as he shook the man’s offered hand in greeting, stepped back, and ushered him inside. “Barnes. Come in. Though by the looks of it, man, you’ve come with more bad news.” Dread rolled through Liam. “If that’s the case, you’re best off telling me. Hammer can’t take more now.”
“Actually, I do have some rather disturbing news, but I’m afraid it’s for you.”
Liam stopped in his tracks. If someone had decided to charge him for a crime because he’d touched Raine, why hadn’t his mother warned him? Hell, why hadn’t he felt trouble coming himself? “I’d best get a drink, then.”
Sterling appeared even more somber. “Actually, I’d like to speak with you and Macen together. Is he here?”
“Out here, Sterling,” Hammer called.
“Where?”
Liam led the way. “By the pool. We’re tipping back a few. Are you done for the day? Would you like something to drink?”
Sterling considered the question for all of two seconds, then dropped the heavy briefcase and loosened the knot of his tie. “I don’t mind if I do. Whiskey?”
Liam cocked a brow. “Irish or Scotch?”
Barnes gave him a rare smile. “Irish, of course. Thanks, Liam. No ice. I know the way.”
By the time Liam joined the two men out on the patio, they were comfortably seated, making small talk while awaiting his return. He passed Sterling his drink, then returned to the seat opposite Hammer. Both men faced the graying lawyer expectantly.
“To good health.” Barnes raised his glass and saluted them before taking an appreciative sip. “Oh, that is good. Thank you. Where’s Raine?”
“Out shopping with my parents. We have the place to ourselves.”
Sterling nodded. “Then let’s get down to business, shall we?”
“Tell us what’s going on.” Hammer gave him an anxious glance. “Any news about the witness?”
Barnes gave them a pensive frown. “Nothing. I’d really like to know who this omnipotent someone is myself.”
Hammer and Liam glanced at one another, suspicion ripe. They were on the same page, as usual. Together, they leaned forward in their chairs.
Hammer frowned. “What the…”
“Hell? That’s what I’d like to know.” Barnes held up a hand. “But nothing about this case or the way the AUSA has gone about it makes any sense.”
“How is the prosecution withholding the identity of their star witness legal? I thought that was the whole purpose of discovery.”
Barnes paused to sip of his whiskey. “Technically, they have time to disclose all the details. As long as I get everything before the trial itself…”
Liam looked at him incredulously. “You’re joking, surely.”
“No. But as a matter of expediency, they usually send over one file with all the information we need. Of course, if they gather more after discovery starts, they send that on as it becomes known, so some things are more last-minute. But feds are notorious for investigating thoroughly so that by the time they charge someone, they’ve got all their evidence in order. They certainly know the name of their damn witness and have for some time.”
“Then why hide their identity? Unless, of course, it’s someone with a grudge against Macen.” Liam rested his elbows between his spread legs, dangling his drink.
Hammer snorted. “Isn’t that a good question? Let me guess. Because then we’d know who the fucker is.”
“At this point, that’s my assumption,” the lawyer agreed.
“Whoever it is has really screwed me well,” Macen quipped. “They aren’t leaving anything to chance. No, sir. This fucker has an axe to grind.”
“I haven’t heard any fat lady singing, mate.” Liam put a bracing hand on his shoulder. “Don’t give up yet.”
Sterling rolled his glass thoughtfully before speaking. “It’s particularly important that I know what this witness intends to say in their testimony because the FBI found nothing during the search they conducted of your home or your business, Macen.”
“I didn’t expect them to.”
“As far as potential state charges go, I’m actually looking forward to learning precisely who found—or rather, stole—that video footage. If my motion to have it marked as inadmissible flies, then they’ll have absolutely nothing,” Sterling reassured.
“As it damn well should be,” Hammer growled. “It was a private moment between two consenting adults in love.”
Sterling shrugged like he didn’t understand their expression of affection, but it was none of his business. “I’m here for a different reason altogether. This is where you come in, Liam.”
Hammer exchanged another glance with his friend before looking back at Barnes.
“The AUSA decided it might be a good idea to interview your ex-wife because of her association with William Kendall. At this point, I’m assuming their intention was to glean more information from Gwyneth in the hopes she could help them support the charges against Macen.”
“And?” Hammer drawled, looking tense. “What did the nasty bitch have to say about me this time?”
“Nothing. Liam, I’m sorry to inform you that your ex-wife apparently got into an altercation with another prisoner in the cafeteria—over pudding, of all things—and was shanked. She’s dead.”