Family Sins(48)

Jack’s glare darkened, and the tone of his voice turned ugly, almost threatening, when he asked, “What did you tell them, boy?”

“That there were guns in a gun case at the lake house. I didn’t know about any motorcycle or I would have been riding it.”

Nita shoved her coffee aside and stood up, too.

“I told them about the motorcycle when I was asked where it was, because I don’t want to be a part of this anymore. I am ashamed that Leigh’s husband is dead because of us, and probably because we continue to feel the need to be richer than we already are. And don’t treat me like this again, Mad Jack Wayne. You aren’t lily-white, and we both know it.”

She walked out of the dining room with her head up and her backside swinging.

Fiona sighed. “Excuse me,” she said, and followed her sister.

Charles glanced at his dad.

“Sorry if I did something wrong. This is the first time I’ve gotten enough insight into this family to realize that I should always lie. I thought I was supposed to tell the truth.”

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Blake said. “Don’t worry about it again, okay?”

Charles shrugged, then left, as well.

Justin picked up his fork and took another bite of dessert.

“Damn good pie,” he said, chewing as he spoke.

Blake ignored his younger brother just as he’d done ever since Justin learned to walk.

“Uncle Jack, you’re only making a bad situation worse. You’re successfully dividing this family in a way no one has ever done before.”

“Except Leigh,” Justin said, and took another bite of pie.

“Shut up, Justin. As a favor to me,” Blake muttered.

Jack glared at both of them.

“Which one of you did it?” he asked.

Blake shook his head and left the room.

Justin just kept eating pie.

Jack knew his nephew would probably never forgive him for the slap-down, and while a part of him didn’t give a damn, he regretted it just the same.

“Look, Justin, we need—”

Justin dropped his fork and walked out, still chewing the last bite of his dessert.

Jack was, for one of the few times in his life, speechless.

*

An hour had passed since the dessert fiasco. The killer was tired of the turmoil within the family, but staying under the radar was simple. Just act indignant along with everyone else.

So the cops had the rifle. So they had the motorcycle. So what. No matter what fingerprints or DNA they found, it would never be conclusive evidence against one person. Not when there were multiple owners and easy access.

*

Nita was in her favorite pink silk pajamas. Her makeup was off, and she’d already pinned her hair up for the night when her phone rang. She glanced at caller ID and then grabbed it.

“Hello, my darling. How sweet of you to call,” she cooed.

Andrew fell right into his “adoration of Nita” tone.

“I’ve been missing my girl,” he said. “I kind of thought you would call me. Have I hurt your feelings in any way?”

Nita wiggled with delight. Finally someone focusing on her in a special way, and even if it was bought and paid for, he was good at it.

“You have not, you silly thing. It’s just been a day of hell. The county constable was here this morning, interviewing everyone about that nasty murder thing.”

“I can only imagine,” Andrew said. “What you need is a little loving from a good man. I’d readily volunteer—unless you have a better one waiting in the wings?”

Nita moaned beneath her breath.

“No, no, there’s no one in my life but you, and I do need you. I would thoroughly love a session with you and your big, hard dick.”

Andrew chuckled. He did enjoy a satisfied customer.

“Do you want me to pick you up?” he asked.

Nita sighed. “I’m already undressed and in bed,” she said.

Andrew growled softly in her ear.

“Then you’re ready. Turn out the lights and lock your door. I’ll talk you through the biggest orgasm you’ve ever had.”

Nita moaned.

Andrew smiled.

Success, and he didn’t even have to break a sweat.





Twelve

The thunderstorm passed before morning, and Bowie slept all the way through it with Talia in his arms. Although the passion between them had him longing to make love all night, she was fragile in so many ways that all he could bring himself to do was hold her.

Waking up beside her was a wonderful glimpse of their future. He was already planning how to change his job for the oil company so he didn’t have to work the offshore platforms anymore. No way could he stand being on-site for weeks at a time. Whatever it took to be able to go home to her each night would be worth it. They’d lost time, but thank God they hadn’t lost each other.

After a quick breakfast together, he was already regretting he couldn’t stay, but he had to go home and help there, too. Talia followed him out onto the front porch and then shamelessly threw herself into his arms to say goodbye.

Bowie laughed as she wrapped her arms around his neck.

“You’re not going to make this easy, are you, sweetheart?”

She shook her head.