Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 87913 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87913 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
After listening to them tell me their side of things, I lay out my case against Charles, the DNA, his extensive criminal history, the fact that he confessed at one point, and that his brother lived across the street from Alice and Greg at the time so there would have been a connection, even if they didn’t know each other personally. As I talk, I know everything I’m saying is falling on deaf ears, and I’m wasting my breath. They have spent years building up Greg as the villain in their heads, and nothing short of a full confession from Charles and him stating that Greg wasn’t involved is going to change their minds. Even then, I wonder if they would believe him.
When they leave, Mary and I come up with a game plan and I have Jamie call judge Brown’s secretary to get us on his calendar. In a few weeks I’ll know if my case is strong enough to bring to a jury and then we will go from there.
A few hours later, with the sour taste of my meeting with Alice’s sisters still sitting in the back of my throat, I drive up to Franny’s childhood home. When I arrive, Betsy lets me in and then leads me to the back patio, where I find Barrett with his feet up, watching TV.
“Dayton, good to see you.” He starts to stand when he sees me, but I shake my head.
“Please don’t get up.” I pat his shoulder, then take a seat across from him. “How are you feeling?”
“Better, ready to get back to work. Betsy is keeping me in lockdown until the doctors give me the all-clear.”
“I don’t want to side with her, but that’s probably wise.”
“Probably.” He picks up a glass of water he has sitting on a table next to him. “So, what brings you out here?”
“There is a situation with Billy that I’ve been brought into, and I want to let you know about it.”
“His affair with your assistant,” he says, and my brows drag together. “I have birds all over the place, they all like to bring me news. I’ve known for weeks what he was up to even before the news story. After the story came out, I asked him about it, and he told me that you and she were together and that the rumors about him were a lie. I knew he wasn’t being honest, but sometimes you have to let things play out, and people dig their own graves.” Shit, I sit back, scrubbing my fingers through my hair. “Billy has been doing this kind of thing for years, he’s never going to change.” He shakes his head. “Some men will learn from their mistakes; others keep making those same mistakes and blame everyone but the person looking at them in the mirror.” His eyes roam over my face. “If I had known this is what you wanted to talk to me about, I would have saved you the trip, but I appreciate you letting me know.”
“I didn’t feel like I had much of a choice, if it was only me in this situation, I might not care, but Franny’s involved, and I don’t want anything to harm her, even a rumor that she knows is a lie.”
“You told her.”
“Of course.”
“Good man.” He smiles. “I’m glad she found you. She needed someone who puts her first even when putting her first isn’t comfortable or easy.”
“She’s my priority.”
“I know.” He says softly before he pushes up to stand. “Well, if that’s all you wanted to talk to me about, I’m going to go in and see what form of torture Besty made for dinner.”
“I think you’re safe.” I laugh, moving to my feet. “It smelled good when I walked by the kitchen.”
“Don’t believe your nose, kid. I’ve made that mistake more than once the last couple of weeks.” He pats my arm, then leads the way into the house.
“Yo, Dayton.” Jacob greets from a chair at the island. “You staying for dinner? Mom’s making Cowgirl steaks.”
“Steak?” Barrett asks, sounding surprised.
“Don’t get excited, Dad, they’re vegan.”
“See what I mean.” Barrett turns to me, and I grin.
“You’re welcome to join us Dayton, there’s plenty,” Betsy says, taking a big bowl of salad out of the fridge.
“I would, but Franny told me earlier today that we’re making tacos for dinner.”
“You mind if I join you guys?” Jacob asks.
“Sure.”
“Cool, let me go get my wallet. I’ll follow you in my car.” I watch him leave the kitchen in a hurry.
“Do you have room for one more?” Barrett asks.
“I’ll make you tacos tomorrow,” Betsy tells him before I can respond.
“No one wants vegan tacos, honey.”
“Well, too bad.”
“Lord save me.”
“He did save you,” she snaps while glaring at him, “and I promised him that I wouldn’t let you end back up in the hospital.”