“Look, someone is out to ruin and hurt Ian, and we’re pretty sure that it’s someone from Jagger’s old crew. There’s more of them running free in the city than we expected,” Hollis said. His voice was hard and serious. The man was in no mood for a reunion. There was nothing positive about Ian’s past with Jagger except for meeting Snow, Rowe, and Lucas. Ian was more than happy to get this meeting over with and get out of the bar.
Ian jumped in and gave Ernie a quick recap of everything that had happened at the restaurant as well as the attack on Ian at home.
Ernie’s expression clouded and he sat up straight, glaring at Hollis and then Ian. “And you thought it was me?”
Ian chewed on his bottom lip for a second. He couldn’t believe he actually felt a little guilty for accusing Ernie when he obviously didn’t harbor any grudge against him. “Ernie, I know you made a very comfortable living from Jagger. And you were moving up while I was there. I know people have to blame me for taking down Jagger. We thought…maybe you wanted revenge for ruining your paycheck.”
A slow sigh drifted from Ernie, and his shoulders slumped before he put both hands on the table. “I get ya. But you gotta know that I’ve been in this business since I was a kid. Sometimes the boss wins. And sometimes the cops win. If you don’t get caught in the roundup, you count yourself lucky and go find a new boss.”
Ian stared at Hollis across the table, and his husband shrugged at him.
“That’s a really…down-to-earth view of things,” Ian murmured.
“I ain’t got no grudge against you, Ian. I know things was bad for you at Jagger’s, and I had no interest in making things worse so long as you didn’t cross the boss. I’m glad you got out, and I’m happy you’ve had all your success. I saw that magazine article about you. Very fancy.”
“Thanks, Ernie.” Ian could feel his cheeks heating with a blush.
“I really miss your cooking, too. You’d send all kinds of things down to the guardhouse, and I loved it all. I never ate so good. Some of the guys were sure you were gonna poison them, but I didn’t care. It would have been a great way to go.” Ernie shook his head, dropping his eyes to his hands folded in front of him. “I keep hoping that your restaurant will start using one of those delivery service apps. I’d love to try that food, but I don’t want to make you uncomfortable.”
And for that Ian was grateful. No one from Jagger’s old crew had ever stopped into the restaurant as far as he knew. There had been several of Cincinnati’s socialites who liked to attend Jagger’s parties that would come into the restaurant, and Ian was always sure to make himself unavailable to the customers at that time. James had it down to an art if any of them was so bold as to ask for him. Ian refused to have his past shoved in his face while he was in Rialto.
“I’ll look into it,” Ian promised. He could at least do that if Ernie managed to give them some kind of viable lead.
“Well, if you’re not pissed at Ian, do you know of anyone who might be? From Jagger’s old crew?” Hollis pressed, putting them back on track.
“Nope.”
“Have you been in contact with any of them?”
Ernie bobbed his head lightly. “Some. We mostly scattered after Jagger turned up dead. Seemed the smart thing to do. But I see them here or there.”
“And none of them are pissed at Ian? Blame him for what happened to them or Jagger?”
Ernie made a face and spread his hands. “It’s been three years now since Jagger was killed. The bastard deserved it and we all knew it. Sure, some mugs might have been pissed in the early months, but now? Pffft.…No way. Who holds a grudge like that? We all got bigger problems to deal with.”
And that was a good point. Who the hell would hold a grudge after so much time? And why go after Ian now? Three years had passed. There had been ample time to go after Ian then. Would have been easy too because Ian hadn’t been watching his back after Jagger died. He’d been sure that he was completely safe.
Ian looked over at Hollis, who was staring at him with a deep frown. They were back at square one—without a single lead to go on.
“Thanks for your time, Ernie,” Ian said, extending his hand. Ernie eagerly took it in both of his and pumped it a few times.
“Sorry about earlier,” Hollis said, sticking out his hand as well.
“I get ya. You’re just protecting your man,” Ernie said easily, shaking Hollis’s hand as well.