Page 143 of The Innocent

Technically, she hadn’t said the words, but Jekyll read through her silence.

“Would you rather the truth over being right?”

She shook her head. “I don’t understand…”

He drew in a breath. “What’s more important to you? Being right or the truth?”

There was a long stretch of silence.

“I just want the truth.” She muttered.

“Alright.” He grabbed her hand, meeting up with the club members at the back entrance.

Nash escorted them upstairs like last time. But today none of them were sharing jabs. Jekyll caught Nash looking over at Imogene twice. She must’ve felt it too, because she curled closer to him.

When they exited the elevator and walked through the room, he could feel her tense up and squeeze his hand. The brothers spread out around the room, but this time Jekyll followed Ace and Cross to the table.

“Jekyll,” she whispered.

He bowed his head and lowered his voice. “You wanted the truth, and he’s gonna give it to you.”

Her eyes immediately darted to the table. There were only two seats across from Oz and Calloway. Both Ace and Cross stepped aside but stayed close, allowing him and Imogene to sit down. Jekyll wasn’t sure how they’d approach the beginning of the meeting, but they weren’t known for sugar coating and easing into any conversation.

Oz lifted his hand, gesturing to Calloway beside him.

“I had your father stabbed to death in prison,” he said in an eerily calm voice.

Fuck me. Jekyll clenched his jaw and his shoulders tensed.

“I’m sorry?” Her voice shook, slightly and Jekyll grabbed her hand. It was the only form of comfort he could provide.

“Your father was killed as a result of my order.”

There was no hesitation, no remorse or emotion. It was the same drone most people used to order takeout food.

“Why?” Jekyll’s tone was the polar opposite.

Imogene needed all the answers.

“My nephew was doing a small stint in the same prison. For a brief time before he was released, he shared a cell with her father.” He paused, directly looking at her. “Your dad liked to talk, and my nephew is very good at listening. It’s one of his best attributes, among using information for his own gain. Your father talked about his new trial. Getting a second chance due to a technicality of representation didn’t change the evidence, which was strong enough to convict the first time and probably would’ve been for the second.” He folded his hands, resting them on his stomach. “My nephew offered him an alternative. An alibi.”

Jekyll glanced over at Imogene. The blood drained from her face, and her grip on his hand tightened.

“Not a real one, of course. He didn’t even know your father. But he was willing to find someone who would testify that he was in the bar the night of the murder. He’d provide a long lost receipt, and from his connections, maybe even jog a few memories from the past.”

Imogene shook her head, and her doubt made sense. It sounded like the plot to a B-movie that went straight to streaming services with no chance of making it into theaters.

“Your father took the deal.” The corner of his mouth curled. “For a little over one hundred grand.”

Imogene’s missing funds.

“My father didn’t have any money.” Her voice shook.

He slid his thumb over the back of her hand. This was going to hurt.

“He had your money,” Jekyll said, and her neck spasmed, her eyes looking like she was seconds from tears.

“For his defense.”