“Partner?” I glance at Ethan, who looks as confused as I am. “What the hell are you talking about?”

“I’ll explain, but would you mind just putting the gun down? Fingers can get twitchy and slip, and I don’t want to make a mess in your brother’s house. Just hear me out.”

I consider him down the barrel of my pistol. A few more ounces of pressure on the trigger is all it would take.

He holds his hands palms up, as if holding a tray he’s about to serve me. “I can tell you what happened to your dad,” he says.

Anger sweeps through me like a wave, threatening to pull me along with it. “My dad was murdered,” I say, willing my hands to remain as steady as my voice.

“I know,” Finn says, his eyes on mine, that earlier devilish look gone and replaced with what looks like sympathy. “I mean I can tell you what happened to him in Iraq.”

This is not a man to be trusted. Any fool could tell that. But people like negotiating, exchanging and expending power. Gestures, even insincere ones, are appreciated. Conceding this small thing will increase Finn’s confidence that he is in control of the situation, which is something I could exploit. And even if he’s lying and has a weapon, I doubt he can draw faster than I can, with him seated and me standing.

And he says he can tell me about my father.

Without taking my eyes off Finn, I holster my pistol. Finn accepts my gesture with a nod, then settles back into his chair. As he opens his mouth to talk, though, I interrupt him, just to keep him on his toes. “Ethan told me you said our father was a thief. That’s bullshit.”

Finn shakes his head. “It’s not. But it’s complicated.”

I lean against the couch and fold my arms, aware of how quickly I can draw my pistol. “So explain it.”

“You can sit down if you like.”

“I’m good.”

Finn glances at my hip where my pistol is holstered underneath my jacket, then gives me a brief, knowing smile. “What did your dad tell you about Iraq?”

“He said it was hot.”

“That’s it?”

“He was a loan officer in a bank. Then his National Guard unit got called up for active duty and sent to Iraq. He did two tours and came home with PTSD. He didn’t share a lot of stories. And he definitely didn’t mention you.”

Ethan shifts in his chair but I ignore him. Finn doesn’t react to my barb except to sigh. “I’m not surprised he didn’t mention me.”

“Let’s get back to the part about you calling our father a thief.”