Chapter 22 Brady
Brady
We called it a day at the Cartwrights’ around six. Joanie wasn’t back yet, but she texted Collins and told her that she’d be home soon and we could head out. I set up the new water pump—just in case another storm decided to rage.
“Do you think you could drop me at Clarke’s?
” Collins asked when we got into my truck.
“I need to talk to her. It’s time,” she sighed.
“It’s actually way past time, but stubbornness is a Cartwright trait.
I’ve actually never had to be the one to give in, though.
” I gave her a look out of the corner of my eye.
“I know,” she sighed. “That’s not something to be proud of. ”
“Does this thing between you and Clarke have to do with the developer?”
“Kind of,” Collins said. “It’s mixed up in it, for sure, but I think it has more to do with me.”
“What about you?”
“Being shitty,” Collins sighed. “Floating back to town and depending on Clarke to direct me instead of helping her out the way she asked me to.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself,” I said. “Do you know who the developer is?” I asked.
Collins shook her head. “No, but I have a picture of the letter with their name on it on my phone. Why?”
“I…actually used to work for one,” I said. “Maybe I know something about them that could help you, somehow.”
“Really? I’ll find the picture and text it to you, then. Thank you.”
I turned down the street to Clarke’s house. When I rolled the truck to a stop, Collins took a deep breath.
“You got this,” I said. “Do you want to text me when you’re ready to come home? I can come get you.”
“I’ll walk,” she said. She reached across the bench seat and squeezed my hand. “I’ll see you soon.”
Collins hopped out of the truck and walked toward Clarke’s door.
I didn’t pull away, not yet, not until she got inside.
My phone buzzed in my pocket, and when I pulled it out, I saw that Collins had sent the picture of the letter.
She must have sent it while she was walking up to the door, probably to distract herself from the conversation she was about to have.
Clarke’s door opened, and Collins turned around and gave me a double thumbs-up. I pulled the truck back onto the road and drove back to the shop.
Once I was parked, I opened the message from Collins and zoomed in on the letter, and I couldn’t believe what I saw. I blinked a few times, as if trying to erase the name in front of me.
Sullivan Enterprises, owned by Edwin “Ed” Sullivan—the owner and CEO of the company I used to work for…
…and father of Jackie Sullivan.
Shit.