“He was the new head of what was my empire. Some would have doubts as to his capabilities. By showing everyone that he bested me? He would have removed all lingering uncertainty about his fitness.” She looked earnestly at him. “But it was your idea to have an FBI agent inserted into the security detail at the warehouse. And have Temple request from this man his gun.”
“Well, we had to make sure it wasn’t a real gun that would be used to shoot you, but the Lynn Ryder version of firearms.” He eyed her chest. “The CIA has interesting technology—inserting the detonation device into your clothing and not on your skin. Because Lord’s men searched us thoroughly for weapons and surveillance devices. And Rhett had Lord fire at your heart and not anywhere else.”
“Yes, it was a team effort,” she replied in a desultory voice. “And since I suspected Lord was watching us, I had the CIA slip these items to me in a women’s dressing room while I was shopping.”
“The feds desperately wanted to get Lord on a charge of murdering you. But you told Rhett to give the gun to your mother. How did you know she would pass it on to Lord?”
“Because I know my mother.”
“You’ll need to explain that.”
“From the moment Lord took over, she had been seeking ways to undermine him, with, no doubt, the eventual goal of pushing him out. By giving the gun to him and challenging him to kill me, she was attempting to show him up in front of the others. The fact that he hesitated and had to be shown how to fire the weapon? It humiliated him in front of everyone. Which was her goal. But I’m sure it was a struggle for her.”
“Why?”
“Because I know how desperately she wanted to kill me herself.”
Nash shook his head and said, “I know mother-daughter relationships are difficult, but I think Masuyo took it to an entirely new level.”
She played with the handle of her cup. “Did you. . .see your family?”
Nash looked off for a moment. “Yes, at my funeral. Only they didn’t see me.”
“But—”
“It was the only way, Victoria.”
“Jenny,” she corrected. “We must be consistent.”
“Yes,” he said. “They have their lives to lead, and the resources to lead good ones.”
“But without you there, I fail to see how good it could be.”
They eyed one another over the width of the small kitchen table he’d ordered online. He had painstakingly put all the furniture together upon arrival and set up the apartment for this very day. Nash felt he owed her that. And perhaps a lot more.
But now he sensed that she was not speaking of his family being without him.
Steers was speaking of him not being with her.
“It’s just the way it has to be,Jenny,” he said, perhaps answering her actual query. He eyed her curiously. “Why did you keep Maggie’s things in that box?”
Steers met his gaze. “I planned to return them to her. Indeed, I was told she now has the items. The ring, I know, must be special.”
“I see. Thank you.”
She set her teacup down and looked out the window at the bleak day. “And what of you, Walter?” she asked.
“Actually, it’s Dillon,” said Nash, drawing her gaze to him. “At least for now, between you and me. We have to be consistent,” he added with a tender smile designed to bring the woman a bit of relief from all that she was no doubt feeling.
“Yes, Dillon,” she said. She bent down and lifted her pants leg. Revealed was an electronic monitor.
“How long do you have to wear it?” he asked quietly.
“They told me probably for as long as I remain alive.” She looked up at him. “It is no more than I deserve. I was surprised that my prison term was not of longer duration.”
“You sacrificed a lot. Everything, really. That worked substantially in your favor. They showed Rhett the same preferential treatment. He’s out now too.”
“It does not make up for what I did. You know that as well as anyone.”