Family Sins(37)

He ran through the same questions with Justin until things took a slight turn when he brought up the fact that Justin and Leigh were twins. Justin’s cold reaction to his sister’s grief seemed odd, and Riordan ran with it.

“How many years has it been since you spoke to your sister?” Riordan asked.

“More than thirty, I guess.”

“Really? I thought twins had a special bond.”

“The only thing our family shares is blood,” Justin said shortly.

“So you’re saying you have no empathy for the fact that Leigh just lost her husband?”

“She became a nonissue when she quit our family,” Justin said. “We don’t cry over spilled milk.”

“Or blood?”

Justin’s cheeks reddened slightly. He’d led with his anger, not his brain, but he managed to control himself now and didn’t respond.

Riordan moved to the next question.

“Do you have a personal interest in the resort that’s being built on the north side of the lake?”

“We all do. Wayne Industries is a family-owned corporation. Whatever investments the company makes are made with family money.”

“And you all share equally in the profits?” Riordan asked.

Justin shifted slightly in his chair.

“Not exactly. Uncle Jack has controlling interest. Then the four of us have equal shares.”

“Does your sister Leigh benefit in any way?”

“Oh, hell, no,” Justin said, and then smirked. “Our father wrote her out of the will when she ran away. It’s what she gets for choosing to live below her social status.”

Riordan frowned. “What do you know about your nephews?”

“I have one nephew. His name is Charles.”

Riordan leaned forward just enough to invade Justin’s personal space.

“But you just told me that the only thing the Waynes share is blood, and like it or not, Leigh’s five sons share your blood.”

Justin slapped the table with the flat of his hand so fast it startled Riordan.

“Her sons have been harassing our family ever since this began, and I’m sick of it. One even stood outside the gate yesterday, just staring and gesturing,” he snapped.

“Well, there are four of them outside your gates right now, along with a gathering crowd of citizens of this fine town, and if someone in your family hadn’t shot their father, I doubt we’d be having this conversation,” Riordan drawled.

Justin’s face went from an angry red to white so fast Riordan thought the man was going to pass out.

“It wasn’t me,” Justin said.

“Where were you that morning?” Riordan asked.

“I took a day off,” Justin said, and met the constable’s gaze without blinking.

“That doesn’t tell me where you were,” Riordan said.

Justin shrugged.

“I slept in. I went for a run. I took a shower and then went for a drive. It’s how I deal with stress.”

“Why are you stressed?” Riordan asked.

Justin smirked. “Everyone is stressed. I’d guess you’re dealing with a little stress of your own right now.”

“Do you have a witness to any of your activities?” Riordan asked.

“I don’t know. I wasn’t looking for witnesses, because I wasn’t on the mountain chasing a man to kill him.”

Riordan’s heart skipped a beat.

“How did you know someone chased Stanton Youngblood? I never said he was chased. Leigh Youngblood never said he was chased. She said he was shot in the back.”

The smile slid off Justin’s face.

“I guess I heard it, okay? Don’t twist my words trying to pin this on me.”

“I don’t have to try and do anything. Stanton Youngblood did the pinning before he died. All I have to do is sort through the basket of bad apples and pick the rottenest one.”

Justin’s fingers curled into fists.

Riordan pointed at them.

“You have some anger issues, boy. I’m done with you for now.”

Justin stood abruptly, and then turned on one heel and stormed out of the room.

“He’s a lit powder keg, isn’t he?” Riordan said.

Griffin nodded. “Yes, sir. Who do you want to see next?”

Riordan thought for a moment.

“I think we’ll leave the youngest Wayne for last. I’d like to talk to Fiona next.”

“Yes, sir. Be right back,” Griffin said.

Fiona entered carrying her second drink, which was a bad idea considering she hadn’t had breakfast. But she felt confident that the constable would only be going through the motions interviewing her and Nita. They had the only really good alibis. Half the town of Eden could verify where they’d been.

She smiled at Constable Riordan, placed her drink on the table in front of her and started to sit down, then realized she was going to be fingerprinted first.

That rattled her enough that when she finally took a seat she kept her liquor in her hand.

Riordan eyed the glass, smelled the liquor on her breath and frowned. He didn’t want it to come back on him that her statement wouldn’t stand up because she was intoxicated.

“Officer Griffin, I would appreciate it if you’d set the lady’s drink aside until we’ve finished.”