And he had to meet his blackmailer in less than an hour at Point Pleasant Park.

Would it give him enough time?

No. He couldn’t just appear at his father’s side, and then leave. He had planned to be early for his rendezvous with the blackmailer. He needed to watch the blackmailer approach—and then catch him unaware.

“Is my father’s life in danger right now?”

“Not that I’m aware of.” Randall’s frown deepened. “Are you okay, Harry? I’m concerned about you.”

“I’m fine.” As he spoke the words, his body seemed intent on making a liar of him. Tiny black spots spun in his vision.

And then receded.

He stood. “Thanks for coming, Randall. I’m going to lie down for a bit and then go to the hospital.” He managed to walk his lawyer to the door without lurching.

Randall’s gaze met his. “I’ve been where you are right now. It will get better.”

Harry crossed his arms. “How? My mother is dead. Her funeral is next week, but my father is now under arrest in hospital after going out of his head and trying to kill the woman that I shot with a prohibited weapon, almost killing a sheriff in the process. How exactly is this going to get better?”

It might be easier if his father were dead. And then he immediately quashed the thought. He loved his father. He had already lost his mother.

He needed his father.

But the thought of his father being found guilty of assault with a weapon, of spending the rest of his fragile days in prison or under house arrest, was more than Harry could bear.

It might be more than his father could bear, too.

“Take it one day at a time, Harry.”

Really. Was that the best his high-paid help could do? Offer platitudes?

“I have been taking it one day at a time. And it’s only gotten worse.”

“We’ll help you. I promise. And you can call me at any time.” Randall put a hand on his arm.

“Thanks.” He stepped away. Randall’s hand dropped. With one last look, his lawyer walked out of Harry’s hotel room. Harry closed the door.

Randall’s visit had confirmed one thing: no one could help right now.

He lifted the napkin from the mound of vomit, and picked up the computer cord. Then he carefully rinsed the vomit from the cord in the bathroom sink, dunking the cord over and over in the water until all traces of his DNA were removed.

Chapter 47

Chapter 47

2:06 a.m.

Aiden had hidden in a stall in the men’s room of Condor’s hotel until it was time to head to the park for his rendezvous with Harry Owen. When he saw his face in the bathroom mirror, he swore. Loudly.