Liam studied his father. He took a deep breath. And studied some more.

Not wanting to interrupt whatever communication was taking place between father and son, Gabrielle sat there. Feeling helpless.

And worried, too.

But she was glad to be there. She didn’t want Liam fighting this battle alone.

“So tell me your guess as to what could be going on.”

“I’ve been set up.”

“How?” Liam’s question shot back immediately.

“I have no idea.”

“What evidence do they have that you’ve done anything wrong?” Gabrielle’s voice butted in when she’d told herself she was going to stay silent unless her opinion was solicited.

“Plenty.” The older man’s steely, intelligent gaze turned on her. She didn’t know whether to be flattered or nervous. She was a bit of both.

But determined to remain by Liam’s side.

“What evidence, Dad? What have they got on you? Is it legitimate?”

“The files they found containing clients’ names and payables exist. The offshore accounts exist. The land that was being used for investment bait exists. That fact that it’s worthless swampland, instead of the Grayson development land that it was said to be, is true.”

“You sold swampland to our investors?” She didn’t need to see the disgusted look on Liam’s face to know he was horrified.

“Someone did. That someone was not me.”

“Someone in Connelly Investments?”

“Someone using Connelly’s name, reputation and client base.”

“No one has access to that information except for the top-floor executives.”

“I know.”

“How many of those are there?” Gabrielle asked.

“Seven, now that Liam’s gone.”

Finally. Someone had acknowledged the estrangement.

“You and George are out, so that would leave Matheson, Williams, Granger, Donaldson and Buckus.” Liam moved right on past any chance at personal conversation. Gabrielle loved his ability to do that. And hated that this was the kind of father-son relationship he’d grown up with. While she didn’t see her family much now that they’d moved out of state—and didn’t have a lot in common with her younger brothers, as they weren’t interested in education or hard work as much as maligning the establishment and hanging with friends—they kept in touch with her. Always called to thank her when she sent money. And called other times, too.

“Dad?” Liam said as Walter just sat there.

“I have suggested to Agent Cross, over and over again, during the several hours I’ve been a guest here today, that he should be looking at all five of them.”

“You aren’t a guest, Dad. You’re under arrest.”

“Perhaps for the moment. George is working on that. I’ll be out of here tonight.”

Liam looked at Gabrielle, who nodded. If nothing else, Walter would be out on bail. Best case, they’d have to let him go until formal charges were filed. “He could be considered a flight risk,” she said, “but it’s not likely, since his entire life is here, and as of now, he still has control of the majority of the company. Only the assets in question have been frozen.”

“They’ve also seized my personal hard drive as well as all of the pertinent Connelly ones, but we’ll have use of those again by tomorrow.”

His glance made her feel as though she were a bug under a microscope, only not as scientifically important.

Tags: Tara Taylor Quinn Romance
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