CHAPTER
61
“HE WAS JUST CHECKING IN,”said Nash. “He might have some leads on Walter Nash that he needs my help in running down.”
Steers walked toward him. “That may be a moot point now.”
“You mean you don’t care about finding Nash now? But it was your top priority.”
“When circumstances change, so do goals and priorities. The man that was here to meet with me?”
“Yes.”
“He is acquiring my business.”
Nash pretended to be stunned by this revelation. “What? Why?”
“Because it is time that I no longer do what I have done for far too long.”
“Will you be leaving here then?” asked Nash.
“I do not know.”
“But you talked about this man wanting to kill you.”
“One way to forestall that was by selling out to him. Then he can do what he wants.”
“And he’s agreed to this?”
“He will. I made the purchase price too appealing.”
Nash knew that it was one dollar but he wanted to know more. He said, “But if you make it too cheap he’ll probably think there’s something wrong with the business, or else you’re trying to trick or trap him somehow.”
“Of course he will because that is perfectly natural.”
“Again, I don’t understand.”
“As I told you before, you need not understand. OnlyIneed to understand.”
“And your mother? What does she say about this?”
“She says nothing.”
“Because you haven’t told her? She doesn’t know?”
“I did not say that, did I?”
Nash took a step back. “Forgive me. I’m making inquiries about things that do not concern me.”
“I understand your natural curiosity. And what I have donewillimpact you.”
“You mean you won’t have need of my services anymore?”
“Quite the reverse. You will be one of the few things between me and a premature death. So I ask that you exercise hypervigilance going forward, Dillon-san, and stand by me. The coming days and weeks could be quite. . .bumpy.”
She walked back into the house, leaving Nash more confused than ever.
* * *