Page 26 of Tempting Devil
Gideon
“You’re certain you want to do this tonight?” Henry asked as we sat in the SUV outside the funeral home on Sunday evening. “We haven’t had time to prepare. Not like we did with Alton.”
“You said it yourself. The more time that lapses between James’ visit this morning andwhat I’m about to do, the less likely the police will consider Brian a person of interest. You’ve done more than enough research. I have an opportunity tonight, especially with him giving his staff the day off. I’m going to take it. I have to take it.”
“There are still a lot of unanswered questions,” Henry reminded me. “I tried to run a proper background check on this guy, but there’s only so much I can find out in a short period of time. Based on what we overheard earlier, he’s definitely involved in more than just cleaning crime scenes. I haven’t been able to figure out what that is yet.”
“You’ll have eyes and ears on me?”
“I’ve highjacked his feed so it’s on a loop, but I’ll be able to keep track of you everywhere inside, except for his office and the cremation room.”
“Good.” I reached for the door handle, but before I could slip into the night, Henry stopped me with a hand on my forearm. I met his green eyes.
“Be careful,” he admonished.
“I always am.”
He nodded, but didn’t let go right away, as if wanting to tell me something else.
“I’ll be fine,” I assured him.
He closed his eyes and pushed out a long breath. Then he released his hold on me, although I could sense his reluctance.
Smoothing a hand down my suit, I climbed out of the SUV and took a moment to become the person I needed in order to lull Brian McGuire into a false sense of security.
Then again, the money Henry promised when he called to beg for a last-minute meeting for his wealthy boss was probably all Brian cared about. Henry may not have had time to thoroughly research my unexpected target, but he learned enough to know Brian wouldn’t be able to turn down a huge pile of money, even if it ended up being detrimental to him.
Which it would.
“You must be Mr. Saint,” Brian greeted with a slick smile, opening the door before I even had a chance to ring the doorbell.
Using my name was a risk, but Henry thought it might work to my advantage, considering it would only take a quick internet search for Brian to see my vast wealth.
“Thank you for agreeing to meet with me. I apologize for all the secrecy, but I’m trying to make a plan for my grandfather without the entire world learning his health is failing.”
“In my line of work, discretion is of the utmost importance.” He stepped aside to let me enter, the familiar smell of roses and clean linen nearly causing me to lose my balance.
“I trust my assistant has compensated you for your time.” My tone was smooth and polite, although the longer I remained in this man’s presence, the more I wanted to make him suffer. But I kept my cool, reminding myself to be patient.
I’d have my chance to make him suffer before the night was over.
“He has. Thank you.”
“It’s the least I could do.”
“Shall we begin in the viewing room?” Brian extended his arm down the long hallway.
“Certainly.” I followed him out of the foyer, my surroundings all muted grays with subtle accents of blue. It was a calming environment in which to say farewell to your loved one.
Or to hold a man hostage before selling him to an underground fighting ring.
“While we have enough space to host large families, if this isn’t sufficient, I have contacts at several event spaces in the area and can arrange to host the viewing there instead. I find most of my clients prefer the ‘homey’ feel this space provides, and they often alter their plans accordingly, opting for a more private viewing before the public service.”
“I can see why,” I responded, taking note of the spacious room in the back of the house he led me into. It could easily fit several dozen mourners.
“Since I understand how difficult this time can be, I also have a separate room just for immediate family.” He headed toward a pair of pocket doors on the far wall, sliding them open to reveal another room decorated in the same distinguished style, but on a smaller scale. “We partner with area restaurants to provide refreshments for the family for the duration of the viewing.”
“That’s a nice touch. I haven’t come across many funeral homes that offer that.”