I shook my head and faked taking a drink of my wine. I didn’t want to play his games today. I half-agreed with Roy that this was just a fake-out, but part of me couldn’t take the chance. So I wouldn’t threaten to leave if he didn’t barf up the information. I’d just be quiet. Sit here. Say nothing. Answer his stupid questions with one or two words.

And wait.

I’d fucking wait.

Luckily, I didn’t have to wait long.

Once our meals were delivered—freaking lasagna Bolognese yet again—he started talking.

“I’m concerned about Lacey,” he said.

“Why?”

“I’m worried. The parties to that confidentiality agreement aren’t nice people.”

“Derek Wolfe is dead.”

“But—”

“Yes, I know. You told me the other is still alive. Lacey figured out the name.”

Blaine went white. “She did?”

I nodded. I wasn’t going to say any more. If I acted like I knew the name, maybe he’d spill something.

“Don’t let the collar fool you. He’s not a good person.”

Collar? As in a submissive’s collar? Geez, get your mind off of sex, Charlie. A collar.

Damn.

A priest’s collar.

A priest.

Father Jim.

James.

Damn.

Had I been talking on the phone with the other party to that agreement? What did they have to keep confidential? And who was the woman with an odd name?

I hoped Dr. Woolcott could help Lacey remember.

Whoever that woman was, we needed her.

“Have you been able to find the woman?” Blaine asked.

Keep cool, Charlie. Let him think you know what he’s talking about.

“Not yet.”

“I’d imagine she’ll be difficult to find. They paid her a mint.”

I nodded again, my mouth full of lasagna.

“Lacey knows this, as an attorney, but I’m going to ask you again, Charlie, to keep my name out of this. I could lose my license.”

Yeah, he could. Especially since Father Jim was still alive. Derek Wolfe couldn’t rise from the grave and sue Blaine for malpractice, but Father Jim sure could, and I’d bet he had plenty of cash stashed away.

“I gave you this information for a reason, Charlie,” he was saying.

I swallowed. “Of course. To help Lacey.”

“Yes, of course. But also because I’m so fond of you.”

“I see.”

“I’d like to—”

I dropped my fork onto my plate and held up my hand to stop him. “Blaine, I’m seeing someone else.”

“Roy Wolfe. I know. I’m concerned. The Wolfes… They aren’t good people.”

“Derek Wolfe wasn’t a good person. Roy Wolfe is a great person.”

“Don’t let all the pomp and diamonds cloud your judgment,” he said. “Apples never fall far from the tree.

I stood and placed my napkin on the table. “Thanks for lunch.”

“Don’t go,” he said. “I only meant that—”