Chapter 34

“It’s not a reward when you use blackmail to get it,” Joe said bitterly. Rising, he marched to the office door and yanked it open. “Come on.”

Copper didn’t move. “I’m not going to the police. I haven’t done anything wrong.”

“We’re going upstairs. You’re going to tell everything you know to the guy Stout hired to find out where your meeting was.” Between the two of them, they might have enough details on Stout to give to Wallace. Steering the investigation toward him just might be enough to save both of their necks.

“Why is he here?”

“Because he’s as innocent in all this as I am. Now get your ass up there before I haul you out of that chair in pieces.”

He made Copper go first in case he decided to make a run for it. At the top of the stairs, however, Copper tested the door and said, “It’s locked.”

“What?” Shouldering past, he tried it himself before knocking. “Carlo? It’s Joe. Let me in.”