“Maybe all those cloistered years fighting with just your mom and sister left you oblivious to how many others out here know this game and play it well.” He leaned forward. “All this blah-blah-blah asking for help and trying to persuade, it’s all just window dressing and performance art, John, so I can feel like a willing participant and maybe overlook the fact that you already factored in our friendship and my affinity for your sister as a given days ago. And you know what? I’m not even mad. Playing chess with people is what you do. It’s who you are. Kudos and much respect. But what I hate—hate—is that you’ve dragged me into your bullshit family feud.”

Holden paused for effect. “I want to say yes . . . you already know it. I don’t want to see your sister messed up more than she already is. But I do this, and we get a future of escalating hurt and retaliation, the both of you trying to use me as a pawn to strike against the other. I might as well rip the Band-Aid off and walk away now, because no amount of friendship is worth that kind of drama.”

“It won’t be like that,” Jack said.

“No? What’s her reaction when she finds out I was in on your plan?”

“If she finds out.”

“Now you’re just insulting me.”

“Okay, fine. She’ll probably try to kill you.”

“And supposing I survive that?”

“She’ll try to use and manipulate you to get back at me.”

“Yeah.” Holden’s jaw ground down, turning wood into splinters. “You drive a really hard bargain, buddy. You should probably try sales.”

Jack held motionless for a second or two, lips pressed together in a not-quite-there grin, as if he was plotting the safest way through a verbal minefield. “For what it’s worth,” he said, “I don’t feel like I’ve got a whole lot of choice here, either. I promise you, if I had any other way, I’d take it.”

This time authentic desperation backed the words, a resolve Holden had seen in cornered animals and in men who went charging to their deaths because forward provided the only hope of escape. He said, “If I do this, I need your word that you never pull this shit on me again.”

Jack breathed out long and slow relief.

“You have my word,” he said.

“Even if your sister refuses to play by the same rules.”

“That will be between you and her.”

Holden spit out what was left of the toothpick, retrieved another, and pointed it in Jack’s direction. “I want everything,” he said. “Every detail of what you know and what you’ve set in motion for tomorrow. Leave out anything—anything—and your sister sabotaging you will be the least of your worries.”

CHAPTER 19

CHAPTER 19

Námstí Republiky
Prague, Czech Republic

HOLDEN