Page 77 of The Inquirer

I wondered if Bradyn was intentionally cursing now just to aggravate his father, and I found that funnier than I probably should have. I managed to keep from laughing, but only because I knew it’d bother Bradyn.

“I guess it really shouldn’t surprise me, but I never thought you’d go after the people you’re supposed to be protecting.” He took another step toward his father’s desk. “You’re the governor of the entire state, and that’s supposed to mean something. Or does it just apply to those of us with less melanin?”

Clancy’s eyes narrowed. “That’s a nasty accusation to make, son, especially against your father.”

“Yeah, well, maybe if you’d been a different sort of father, I wouldn’t have to make any accusations.” Bradyn hooked his thumbs in his belt loops. “Who’d you hire to trash the ranch?”

“I have no idea what you’re talkin’ about.” Clancy smiled again.

“I have no idea how you manage to cover up so much shit if you keep hirin’ people too stupid to properly frame someone else.”

The smile didn’t falter. “Do explain.”

Didn’t anyone just flat-out say what they meant anymore?

“If they’d been smarter, they would have stuck with either robbery or racially-motivated vandalism,” Bradyn explained. “The race angle doesn’t explain why only Nyx and my cabins were trashed since we’re, you know…white. But if they’d only been tryin’ to steal stuff, writin’ racial slurs on the house without breakin’ in was stupid. I would’ve thought you were smarter than that.”

Color crept up Clancy’s neck and into his cheeks. “Watch yourself.”

“I don’t think so.” Bradyn shook his head. “I think I’m done watchin’ myself around you. In fact, I think I’m done listenin’ to you at all. I’m goin’ to do what I want, and you’re goin’ to let me.”

Clancy laughed, but it was a sound as ugly as the expression on his face. “I think you’re forgettin’ who I am.”

“No, I know exactly who you are.”

I didn’t know if Clancy saw the flash of sadness that crossed Bradyn’s face, or if he would even care if he did, but I saw it, and it pissed me off that it’d been Bradyn’s father who’d put it there.

“I think I know better now than I ever have who you are. What our family is.” He inhaled deeply before continuing. “I know what the Calverts did to the Adams’ family, and that you know too. I know you – and probably Mom and Ashley – have been covering it up.”

“You’ve been busy,” Clancy said. “But you’re just a disinherited son, out to spread rumors about your poor family. No one’s gonna believe you.”

“They will if I have proof.” The words were soft, but the impact on Clancy was visible.

“You don’t.”

“I do,” Bradyn countered. “Like I said, you should have picked better goons. They may’ve shredded a lot of stuff, but they never bothered to pay attention to whether or not they had the originals. And contrary to what you may think, I’m not stupid. I made more than one copy.” He glanced at me.

I didn’t hesitate. “Ditto.”

Clancy looked startled, as if he’d forgotten I was there. From what I knew about him, I suspected that was exactly what’d happened.

“I made copies too,” I said. “In case you didn’t understand what ditto meant.”

“Your taste in women has…declined.” He made a face like he’d just eaten something nasty.

“I’m sure you meant that as an insult,” I said, “but since I know what a lying, cheating bastard you are, I’ll accept it as a compliment.”

“You know, in my day, girls knew their place.” Clancy glared at me.

“Well, nowadays, women like to make their own place.” I gave him my best snarky smile. “I’m sure you boys understand.”

If looks could kill, I would’ve been six feet under.

But we still wouldn’t have shit to use against him. We needed him to start talking.

“I’m still waitin’ to hear what I’m supposed to’ve done that’s so bad I would’ve done somethin’ as heinous as vandalizin’ one of my people’s property to hide it.”

What was it I’d said about coincidence and fate?

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