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that much difference. And not seeing her all week was difficult. In fact, he might consider doing something about that.
    The talk with Vivienne had inspired Jacob, and he had an idea. He met with Walsh again, to learn that the investigator had already gleaned more details about the upcoming seminar, including most of the guest list. The word was that the topic of the meeting was ways to streamline the relationship between producers and distributors. In layman’s terms, that meant encouraging distributors to buy direct, cutting out the importers.
    “I don’t know what Kenyon thinks he’s doing,” Walsh said. “He’s cutting his own throat with this maneuver.”
    “He has some motivation that overrides any consideration of profits for Williamson Imports, or his loyalty to his stepfather,” Jacob said.
    “Any idea what that is?”
    “No, not at the moment,” Jacob said. “But instead of crashing the event, and risking making a scene in front of my distributors, I have a better idea.” He smiled at his investigator.
    “I have a feeling this is going to be good,” Walsh said.
    “We have an advantage in that Daniel Kenyon isn’t aware that we know about the seminar.”
    “True, so what do you propose?”
    Jacob grinned. “What if he did know?”
    For a moment the investigator pondered the question, then he smiled. “I see where you’re going with this. If Kenyon knew that you were going to crash the party, he’d be busted.”
    “He can’t very well persuade my distributors to go against Rinaldi Imports, and take their business away from us, if I’m there to defend our position,” Jacob said. “Because we both know that what he is proposing is bad business. There is a reason importers exist, a service we provide. And if the distributors stop to think about it, they will see the folly of attempting to conduct business without us.”
    “Brilliant,” Walsh said. “I’d love to see the look on Kenyon’s face when he hears that you plan to attend.”
    “Well, you’re the best at what you do, Walsh, so spread the word .” Jacob stood up. “Get back to me on that, will you?”
    And just like that, the tables turned. Daniel Kenyon’s plan could only work if he garnered a private audience. With Jacob there to plead the case for the importers, the distributors would see that they were being lead into a false solution.
    Even a man as devious as Kenyon could see that. The man was criminal, and not to be trusted, but he wasn’t stupid. Walsh leaked the word that Jacob Rinaldi planned to attend the invitation-only meeting, and embellished a bit, by implying Jacob knew even more than he did.
    Overnight, the rumor spread through the industry like wildfire, and when Kenyon heard, he immediately cancelled the event…until further notice. That was one problem solved, but it didn’t make the situation go away. Jacob was pleased that he’d headed off the disaster, yet Daniel Kenyon was still up to something. He wasn’t going to give up that easily.
    If only Jacob knew what motivated the man, because he clearly didn’t have the best interests of the importers in mind. Whatever his reason for undermining the very business that supported him, it had to be powerful. That much Jacob knew. Yet he couldn’t fathom what that motivation was.
     

 
    Chapter 5
    Vivienne had been surprised when Jacob called midweek. There was no way to predict what he might do. Just when she thought she had him figured out, he’d do something unexpected. Despite all his talk of rules, and bending them or not, Jacob seemed to do what he wanted.
    Vivienne liked that about him. It made him interesting and exciting. She only hoped he didn’t get too unpredictable, as she wanted to understand what went on inside his head and heart. It had been good to talk with Jacob, though.
    They had chatted about normal things, just as if they were dating, which in Vivienne’s mind they were. Jacob could talk all he wanted about confining their