The Alpha Deception Read Online Free PDF

you didn’t call until now.”
    The waitress came with their drinks, saving T.C. the trouble of responding right away. She sipped. McCracken swirled.
    “I thought it would be much harder to reach you.”
    “I make sure it isn’t for people who know me. It’s what I’m doing these days—paying back old debts, settling scores. Makes me feel I’m worth something.”
    “Doing favors for friends …”
    “Something like that. The freedom’s priceless. I’ve sworn off Washington. But, of course, you’d know that.”
    “I heard.”
    “How’s Back Bay?”
    “Crumbling. Water table rose and the townhouse is sinking. Literally. It’s cost me more in repairs than what my parents paid for it.” She paused. “I found a phone number for you, but no address.”
    “Got six of them—apartments. Two don’t even have any furniture, but they’re scattered conveniently all over the country. What I really want is to own a car. You know I’ve never really had my own. Pretty incredible for a man of my advanced years.”
    T.C. sipped some of the wine, and the goblet trembled in her hand. Blaine grasped her other one in his.
    “What’s wrong, T.C.?”
    “I hate asking you for something, after so long I mean.”
    “Favors for friends, remember?”
    She placed the wine goblet on the table. “It’s my grandfather. He’s … in danger.”
    “Cotter Hayes? You’re kidding.”
    “Not Cotter Hayes. My grandfather on my mother’s side.” She paused. “Erich Earnst.”
    “Hmmmmmm, not your average Boston yankee name.”
    “Anything but. German Jewish. World War II specifically. An escapee from Sobibor.”
    “If the gossip columnists could hear you now… .”
    “It’s one of Boston’s best-kept secrets, I assure you.” Another piano rendition by Dave McKenna ended, and T.C. waited for the applause to die down before continuing. “That Rawley Hayes would consent to marry a woman of Jewish persuasion … well, fortunately the truth never came out. Might have ruined him if it had.” A sad smile crossed her lips. “Truth was, though, that Grandpa Erich was always infinitely more fun and interesting than Grandpa Cotter, especially when I grew old enough to appreciate him and all he’d been through.”
    “But now you’re saying he’s in danger.”
    “Because he says so. And I believe him. It’s all very recent. The police don’t buy it—nothing to go on. I … didn’t know where else to turn.”
    McCracken swirled his wine some more. “I need to hear the specifics.”
    “There aren’t many, Blaine; that’s the problem. He’s certain he’s being followed. He should know, after all he’s been through.” Her mind strayed. “My mother’s not really Jewish. Grandpa Erich found her wandering the streets of Poland and brought her to America with him and his wife. Never forced their religion on her because they didn’t want her subjected to the persecution they had undergone. But, in addition to bringing my mother over, he also brought along a sack of diamonds the size of a tote bag. His gem parlor is still one of the best in Manhattan. The money made his daughter enough of a somebody for my father to take notice of her.”
    “You sound bitter.”
    “I hate pretenses; you know that.”
    “All too well. And that’s why if you believe your grandfather, I believe you.” The relief on her face was obvious. Her need for the wine seemed to evaporate, and she too, began swirling her glass.
    “Trouble is I’m not exactly sure what I can do about it, T.C. This isn’t exactly the kind of work I specialize in.”
    “You could talk to him.”
    “Which I’m sure you’ve done already. You’re a sensible person. Is there anything he says I can make use of?”
    “You’ll ask the right questions. You always do.”
    “Except once. Might have saved you the bother of that divorce otherwise.”
    She shook her head sadly. “It would have happened anyway, Blaine, probably well before the three years were out, and