Page 55 of Shameless

The shock and hurt in her eyes are all the answer I need.

“That’s why he didn’t fight me for custody of you guys or to get more than what was agreed in our prenup?” she asks, more to herself than to us. “At first when I kicked him out of the house, he threatened that he wouldn’t just go quietly but then he just left without another word. Now it makes sense.”

The sheriff has been quietly listening up to this point. “I don’t see why you would want me to know that, Jules. This doesn’t help the investigation aside from answering the question who would potentially benefit from Eddie’s death?”

I knew he would think that. “This isn’t everything,” I continue. “Eddie didn’t leave us just the house and the cash in his bank account. He also left us Star Thunders.”

I explain about the stipulation in his will that we continued working with Trevor and with his main sponsor.

The sheriff’s ears perk up when I mention that. “I wasn’t aware that the Morelli family sponsored your late father’s racing team.”

I explain that the company that fronts the sponsorship doesn’t bear the Morelli name. “We believe that Trevor Braverman was the connection with the Morelli family and that Star Thunders was used as a part of a money laundering and probably smuggling scheme. We think Eddie was extremely careful in keeping Star Thunders’ front as clean as possible, leaving Trevor to deal with the other, less legal aspect.”

The sheriff is practically salivating at the news. “That would explain why Branagh was killed. The theory of a drug deal gone wrong is now more believable. This is extremely valuable information, but why did you say you wanted to make a deal?”

Stefan clears his throat. “We want to keep racing. But we don’t want to take over whatever was going on below the waterline, so to speak. If we provide Eddie’s letter as proof and also allow the police full access to Star Thunders’ books, we want the assurance that the company assets won’t be frozen like the rest of our father’s estate.”

As predictable, the sheriff is hesitant to grant our request. “This is a big ask. I could get the access you talk about by obtaining a warrant.”

Crew nods. “You could. But obviously whoever has been doctoring the books, did a great job. Without the information wejust gave you, it would have been weeks before you would have had a chance to look at those books. Maybe you wouldn’t have even thought about it, since Eddie had no apparent connection with Trevor’s business.”

I add the tidbit of information that should seal the deal. “Crew is right. Besides, Eddie’s letter is the only thing that would prove that connection as far as we know. It wasn’t part of the will. It was sealed in a separate envelope marked for our eyes only. If you agree to our terms, we’ll give you a copy. Hopefully having the police sniffing around will be enough to discourage the Morelli family from wanting to continue using Star Thunders as a part of their operation.”

When the sheriff accepts our offer, Scott offers to draft a written agreement.

Things are definitely looking up. With this deal, I’ll be able to keep racing and to keep Jasmine from causing more trouble.

12.Secrets Revealed

Lula

I’m worried.

The guys look satisfied with the agreement they made with the sheriff, but they don’t know Mason like I do.

“You don’t quit my family business. The only way out of doing what I was born into, is in a body bag.”He once said to me, when he admitted that supplying drugs to our school and to a few Ivy League colleges in the Tri-State area wasn’t his calling.

If Mason felt like he couldn’t quit working for his family, it’s safe to assume that he won’t let Star Thunders go as easily as Jules, Stefan and Crew think.

I need to talk to them and warn them that they have just put themselves in danger by making that deal with the sheriff.

Scott and Sheriff Pullin walk back into the house, leaving us alone on the deck; if Paris, Rikki and London left, I would have the privacy I need to have this difficult conversation.

“What a shit show,” Paris sighs. “Go figure, when I finally met someone hot and exciting, he goes and gets murdered. Way to ruin my summer.”

Coming from anyone else, those words would strike me as insensitive, but the self-absorbed reaction is totally on brand for Paris.

“He might have been a piece of shit,” Jules scowls at her. “But Trevor was still a human being and maybe you could show a little more respect for someone who just died.”

Paris crosses her skinny arms over her fake boobs, shooting an annoyed glare to my stepbrother. “Whatever. You aren’t the one who just lost the best hookup I’ve ever had. Besides, I’ll have to find someone else to buy from. This was supposed to be a summer of wild partying and Trevor had the best coke.” She looks at me. “Lula, can you help? I’ll definitely need some Oxy, but if you could also score me some coke, I’d love you forever.”

Fuck. I’m glad Dad isn’t here or he would have so many questions I’m not prepared to answer.

“Paris, I don’t?—”

“Lula quit dealing.” Crew bites out, cutting me off. “And she’s staying clean. If you don’t plan on doing the same, you better stay away from my girl and my brother.”

Paris doesn’t look intimidated by Crew. “Butt out, Crew. After what I heard from Maura and Evan, you should be the last one to preach sobriety. Unless you want to tell me that you weren’t high or drunk when you crashed Evan’s yacht? I knew you weren’t back in town just because you missed the boardwalk and Joe’s fried pickles.”

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