Chapter 42
Chapter Forty-Two
G eorge breathed in the freedom of night air as he left the police station. Someone had paid his bail.
When he spotted a woman with red hair standing beside a battered gray minivan with muddied license plates, he knew who.
His half-sister studied him a long while before she opened the passenger door.
“Come on, I found you a better place to stay.”
They never hugged. Tonight was no exception.
He got in the car and shut the door. “Crap wheels.”
She settled in the driver’s seat and started the car. “My handyman’s. I couldn’t drive my own.”
Of course not. His half-sister would never acknowledge him, or be seen with him in public. She was too much like their shared father. A relative in jail was always bad for politics.
As she drove, he asked, “Who gave you the bail money?”
She glanced at him. “That’s not relevant. You’re out. That’s what matters.”
“Was it Dad?”
“No, he’s taken a turn for the worse.” Her voice choked. “He’s under hospice care now.”
Their old man was dying. Finally. “About time.”
Reprimand was clear in her words. “You can’t mean that. He’s our dad.”
George shook his head. “He turned against me, used me to win an election.”
“You committed crimes. You set things on fire, repeatedly.”
“I fell in love. The flames call to me.” Just like his Maggie. He studied his sister, wishing she’d remove the stupid wig. It reminded him too much of fire girl. He’d dreamt of her again last night, her soot dusted face. Always the same question.
Tell me something, little guy. Do you still have matches in your pockets?
His sister continued, her tone too much like their father’s. “You’ve ruined your life with this obsession. You went to prison for it.”
He shrugged. “True passion has consequences.”
To his surprise, ten minutes later, she drove through monogrammed wrought iron gates onto the grounds of her own home. A brick wall surrounded a stately old house on a hill. Despite the darkness, he saw the wealth surrounding his sister and her husband.
Holding power paid.
George asked, “Here?”
The engine shut off. “You need a place to lie low until your court date. Dad’s moved to the hospice center in Asheville. His quarters are empty. It’s clean, just how you like.”
She led him through a side entrance, around the back of the house. The suite inside was large, decorated in white and gold.
Hands folded in front of her, she said, “I had your things brought from Gray Mountain. My staff won’t reveal your presence here, but you’re to remain inside the walls.”
Conditions. She’d never visited him in prison. Too bad for her public image. He opened drawers, found the clothes he’d purchased since his last release.
He said, “Tell your husband I need a talented lawyer.”
“I can’t do that. He’s unaware that you’re here. You weren’t supposed to return to Evers Hollow, little brother. Dad said?—”
“I had to come back. I’m getting married.” He put his hands in his pockets. Empty, both of them. His fingers curled.
She paled. “George. No. You can’t still think?—”
“I love her.”
“Magnolia Everson-Brooks is dead. I attended her funeral.”
He laughed. “I’ve seen her, talked to her, even touched her.”
She pressed her hands together as if in prayer. “Magnolia’s gone. You accosted her granddaughter.”
“You lie, just like our father. Maggie’s alive and mine.”
His half-sister drew closer, putting her hand on his arm. “She was never yours. It’s time to face the truth. Let her go. Magnolia was never worth this.”
He stepped out of reach. “You never liked her.”
Her eyes teared up. Her fists clenched. “I beg you to stop this. Live the rest of your days in peace.”
He curled his fingers. He wanted to hurt her for her words, but she was his half-sister, married to one of the most powerful men in Evers Hollow.
“Let me help you, George. Our father’s dying—I don’t want to lose you, too.”
A pawn. He’d always been a pawn. So others could have what they wanted. It was his turn.
“George, please.”
“Why’d you bail me out? The truth this time.”
She held her chin high despite the tears in her eyes. “Very well. I made your mother a promise before she passed, that I would take care of you.”
His mother. Gone some years now.
“I need a lawyer. Tell Clyde I’ll tell everyone you’re my sister if he doesn’t help me. The truth will sour your son’s chances for his mayoral run here in Evers Hollow.”
Her hands flew to her face. “You wouldn’t.”
“Test me and find out.”