I waved a hand to show the scope of ugliness I had in mind. “I don’t want to see you up before the SEC or the bar’s disciplinary committee or something for signing on to unethical activities. Maybe coercing people into giving money to your favorite charities in exchange for special legal favors.”

Off and on since leaving my office last night I’d been wondering about Eddie Mohr and Chicago Settlement. It had occurred to me that the Felittis might have Dick’s firm muscle people for contributions in exchange for high-priced legal work. That seemed like a relatively flimsy idea, but I watched Dick’s face expectantly to see if I was closing in on anything.

He put his spoon back into the granola and gave me a grim little smile. “Those are very heavy accusations, Vic. I can see why you didn’t want to meet at my office. It would be hard for you to retract those remarks if I had a witness to them.”

“You’ve been practicing law in a mighty strange place lately if you bring in witnesses to this kind of conversation. By the way, you notice I’m not asking you how you know I was down at Diamond Head last week. That’s because your daddy-in-law Peter must have told you. I already know the manager is working hand-in-glove with the goons who are using the plant as a front for stolen goods. So that must mean Peter knows about that stuff too.”

Dick’s face turned pale with anger, so much that his eyes blazed like sapphires against his skin. “There are slander laws in this state, and they’re specifically designed to stop people like you from uttering garbage like that. A front for stolen goods? You can’t offer me one shred of proof of that. You’re flailing around because you got caught with your pants down the other night.”

“Dick, I saw seven men loading spools of Paragon wire onto trucks in the middle of the night.”

He snorted. “And so it must be theft.”

“They tried to kill me.”

“They’d caught you breaking and entering.”

By now I really was flailing around. “Chamfers told them who I was. They were tipped off, and they were waiting for me. Anyway, they get tons more wire from Paragon than they use in production. What do you think they’re doing with it when the plant is shut down? Sending it to the Salvation Army?”

“If—and I mean if—some employees are stealing from the company, do you think Peter would condone it?” He gave a pitying smile. “Despite all your bravado, I can’t help thinking you’re a teeny bit jealous of Teri. Her life must look pretty good to you sometimes. So you’re trying to get at her through her father.”