"About you making my daughter cry."
Lorne looked bewildered at those words.
When did I make your daughter cry? Did Hazel tell her father about me catching her red-handed that day?
Lorne discreetly glanced at Councilman Macht across from him. The man did indeed look somewhat angry, as though he was trying hard to suppress his emotions.
"What makes you say that?" Lorne forced an innocent smile. "Mr. Macht, I don't believe I've done anything to upset Miss Hazel."
"Really? Think a little harder." Councilman Macht adopted the attitude Lorne hated most.
It was just like his teachers back at school. They would summon you to their office without telling you what you had done wrong, then demand that you confess. Yet they refused to say what you were supposed to confess to, leaving you to guess.
No-if he really knew I'd caught Hazel red-handed, he should also know I have photographs that could destroy his political career. In that case, there's no way he'd still be talking down to me like this...
Seeing Lorne fall silent, Maury Macht shook his head gently, obvious disappointment showing in his eyes.
"Mr. Scott, a man must take responsibility. I won't help a man who refuses to do so."
Responsibility? What the hell? Lorne had absolutely no idea what he meant.
Could Hazel have set me up? Did she never even ask her father to help me? Or did she fail to get the message across properly?
"May I ask, Mr. Macht, did Hazel tell you why I came to visit today?" Lorne asked in confusion.
"She did."
Lorne let out a small sigh of relief.
But immediately afterward, Councilman Macht added, "And I've worked out everything she didn't tell me, too."
Lorne's heart, which had just settled, leaped right back into his