Page 54 of Shameless

Up to a few days ago, I would have warned Jules to protect his “assets” from Napoleon’s sharp teeth, but now I know why Crew’s pooch is so obsessed with my stepbrother.

Naps knows that Jules has been carrying beef jerky in his pockets and he’s trying to reach them to get a treat.

Jules however isn’t paying attention to his new best friend.

A look passes between him and Stefan, like some kind of silent communication. That in itself is strange, but my curiosity is peaked even more when Jules looks at Crew and receives a brief, almost imperceptible nod.

Jules clears his throat. “Kirk,” his tone is cautious. “Maybe we could help you establish a connection between the three victims.”

The sheriff looks at the three brothers. “I’m listening.”

“Today we received a phone call from the lawyer who was the executor of Eddie’s estate. We just came back from his office?—”

“Wait a second,” Scott Larson interrupts him. “As your attorney, I would like to advise you that this isn’t an official interrogation and you aren’t under any obligation to provide any information or answer any questions.”

Arianna nods. “Scott is right, honey. And this is news to me. What did that lawyer want? Did your father leave a staggering amount of debt?”

Crew intervenes. “Not quite, Arianna. Maybe we should sit down for this. It’s a little complicated.”

Jules

It’s decided that we should all go to sit outside with a glass of lemonade to have this conversation.

The table is full as our parents, Lula, Rikki and the twins join us, the sheriff and Scott Larson on the deck.

“Eddie left a will.” I say, once we’re all settled in our chairs.

“Jules,” Scott interrupts me again. “I have to advise you again that maybe we should talk before you continue with whatever you’re about to say.”

I appreciate his concern, but the guys and I have made up our minds about this. “Thank you Scott,” I acknowledge. “We think the sheriff should know this, but we would appreciate your help with another aspect of this matter. We would like to make a deal with the sheriff in return for the information we’re about to provide.”

I’m not surprised when both the sheriff and Scott perk up at my words.

“Like a plea deal?” Kirk Pullin says cautiously.

“No,” Crew answers on my behalf. “Nothing like that. None of us has anything to do with the murders.”

Scott looks between me and James. “Is what you’re about to say related to any crime committed by any of my clients? If so, I?—”

Stefan reassures him. “No, nothing like that. But we’re aware of a situation that could potentially interest the police and we want to make sure that disclosing it won’t affect our bottom line from here on out.”

“Yeah, Stefan couldn’t have said it better.” I say, pleased by Stefan’s calm and collected attitude. “We would like the promise that the sheriff will do his best to help us move forward with something. It’ll become clear once we explain.”

The frown on Sheriff Pullin’s face is understandable. “If I was anywhere else, I would just walk away and come back with a subpoena and an invitation to continue this extremely odd conversation at the police station. However, I’ve known you and Stefan since you were born and I’ve known your mom since we were in grade school. Crew is also an upstanding young man who’s been a bright light since he came to town. The football season you guys had your senior year was something Star Cove had never seen before and I doubt we’re going to see talents like yours any time soon.”

Normally the fact that Crew is being put in my same category would piss me off, but I have to admit that the sheriff isn’t wrong. I can hate it as much as I want, but Crew was one hell of a football player and it’s a real shame that he didn’t get to go pro.

Kirk Pullin’s eyes go from me to my brothers—after today it’s hard to deny that Crew is my half-brother whether I like it or not—before he sighs. “Don’t make me regret hearing what you have to say. Scott,” he says to Paris and London’s father. “Feel free to interrupt them if they say anything stupid that would incriminate them and cause me a word of trouble.”

Scott chuckles, but there’s a warning in the look he gives me and the guys. “You got it, Kirk.”

I take a sip of ice cold lemonade, wishing it was something stronger to give me some liquid courage. “Eddie’s lawyer read us our father’s will,” I begin. “He left everything to the four of us.”

Mom shakes her head, clearly unimpressed. “I’d be surprised if that amounted to anything worth your time.”

I cover her hand with mine as I explain the details of how Eddie divided his estate.

Since we heard about how Grandpa paid Eddie off to make sure he wouldn’t come back to town, I’ve been wondering if Mom knew about it.

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