Chapter 7
Vee
Technically, it’s my house.
I didn’t say that.
With all that was happening, I’d forgotten about my phone call with Det. Oldson yesterday. If he went to Daphne, he and his captain must have decided my concerns had merit. Nevertheless, I feigned ignorance. “What was Detective Oldson asking Daphne about? Something about Dad?”
“You should call her. She’s very upset. After all, she didn’t sleep well last night, being in a recliner on the plane.”
I scoffed. “Seriously, Grant. Did you sleep well? I sure as hell didn’t. There’s no reason to make the queen a bed. Hell, if she wanted, she could have spent the night in Houston and flown back commercial in the morning.”
“If she had, she wouldn’t have been ambushed today.” He leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees and his chin in his hands. “The detective asked her about Uncle Reid. He wanted a timeline of everything they did or said from Sunday after the game to when they went to sleep.”
“I’m shocked it’s taken them this long to ask.”
“Bre was arrested. Why are they looking at Daphne?”
Leaning back, I crossed my arms over my chest. “I have a better question. Why do you give a shit? Why is Daphne calling you and crying on your shoulder? How long have you been sleeping with her?” I lifted my eyebrows. “Did it start before or after Dad died?”
My cousin stood, his face growing redder by the second. His words came out in a gruff whisper. “Don’t make accusations you can’t prove.”
I wasn’t backing down. “Remember the lecture you gave me, the one about the Coopers being a family business? You were irate to learn that Fin and I were back in a relationship.” I quirked an eyebrow.
“Tell me how your department will spin the story when it becomes public that you’re banging your aunt, the mourning widow of your uncle. ”
“Daphne is an aunt by marriage, not blood.”
Pressing my lips together, I nodded. “That will go down well in the Lexington Herald. I’m not so sure about the mega churches.”
“Okay, fine.” He walked to the door and pushed it shut. “This is just between the two of us.”
“Go ahead.”
“Daphne can’t answer Detective Oldson’s questions because she lied to the police after the accident.”
“Excuse me. What did you say?”
“Fuck, Vee. Daphne lied.”
Standing, I lowered my palms to my desk and spoke slower. “What did she lie about?”
“About the night before the accident.”
My heart thundered in my chest. “Why did she lie?”
Grant inhaled as his nostrils flared. “Daphne and Uncle Reid had an agreement. They didn’t intrude on each other’s life.”
“I don’t understand. They were married.”
“She and Uncle Reid haven’t shared a bedroom in years.”
Falling back to my chair, I stared at my cousin, my thoughts going to Bre’s reasoning for why Dad took sleeping pills. “And you know this information—how?”
“Fuck, Vee. I just know it.”
“So, all the talk of their perfect marriage was what…bullshit?” I leaned forward. “Did Daphne know about Bre?”
“She knew there was someone else or multiple someone elses. She didn’t know it was Bre.
Daphne and Uncle Reid had an open marriage.
The only rule was to keep it quiet so it wouldn’t affect the Coopers.
That’s why she initially told the police that they were together Sunday night—I mean, a normal married couple would be.
Now that they are asking specifics, she’s worried that they’ll know she lied. ”
“What really happened Sunday night?”
“You should talk to Daphne.”
Furrowing my brow, I met Grant’s stare. “She won’t be honest with me. Hell, I’m not sure you’re being honest.”
“I am.” He inhaled and sat back. “That Sunday night, Daphne and Uncle Reid went their separate ways after they returned from the game. The last time she saw him was around six o’clock. Hell, he could have been out with Bre Sunday night.”
“She told the police that Dad had a bourbon before bed.”
“Daphne said it was his habit. She didn’t see him drink it.”
I collapsed against my chair.
My thoughts went back to the conversation with Det. Oldson. My reasoning was that Bre hadn’t seen Dad on Sunday because he was with family and at the game. What if he saw her Sunday night?
“Do you know if Dad left the house Sunday night?”
Grant pressed his lips together and nodded.
“You know he did, or Daphne told you he did?”
“I know because she told me. And I went to her house. I left after nine. Uncle Reid still wasn’t home.”
My stomach churned with his confirmation. The images in my brain were worse than the pictures of Dad and Bre.
“Did Dad know about the two of you?”
Grant stood, buttoned one button of his sports coat and squared his shoulders.
“Vee, we know it was you who urged the detective to question Daphne. You need to talk to her. I’m done sharing.
” His green stare intensified. “Uncle Reid was going to change his will. Joe drafted the new will. It really doesn’t matter what Daphne or I or even Bre was doing Sunday night or Monday morning.
You were the one about to lose part of your inheritance.
In my opinion, Detective Oldson should leave Daphne alone and talk to you. ”
“To me?” I stood, anger and shock boiling inside me. “I said goodbye to Dad at Crystal Light stadium. I went home and spent the night with Fin. If you were in their home on Sunday night, you had more opportunity than I.”
Grant’s volume rose. “I loved my uncle. And he wanted me to have part of the Coopers.”
“Over my dead body.”
Grant smirked as the door to my office opened.
“What the hell?” Fin asked, his focus on Grant. Shutting the door behind him, he walked within inches of my cousin. His voice was a low growl as tendons bulged in his neck. Despite his arm in a sling, Fin looked threatening. “Why are you yelling at Vee?”
Fin stood a good six inches taller than my cousin as well as broader.
Grant defiantly lifted his chin. “I’m leaving.”
Fin remained silent with his jaw clenched.
When Grant reached for the door, he turned my way. “Call her. Or expect the good detective to show up at your place or here.”
Clenching my teeth, I remained standing.
After the door closed and Grant was gone, I reached for a pencil from my desk and snapped it in two. “Ugh.”
“What the fuck was that about?” Fin asked as he pointed at my door. “They could hear the two of you out in the outer office.”
Walking around my desk, I wrapped my left arm around Fin’s torso and gently laid my right hand on his sore shoulder. “You first. What did Lacy Reynolds say about your shoulder?”
Tension eased from his muscles.
“She said to keep it immobilized for a week. Next Monday they’ll do another MRI. If it shows improvement in the muscles and ligaments, I’ll be cleared for light practice.”
I let out a long breath. “No IR?”
“It’s not set, but it’s looking good. I should be cleared to play by the divisional round. He reached for my chin and lifted it. “Now, tell me about Grant Marsh.”
“I’d rather go home.”
Fin kissed my nose. “Then home it is.”