Page 46 of Memphis

“Sounds fair enough.”

“Great.” She started unpacking the groceries as she asked, “So, what do you think about spaghetti for dinner?”

“Whatever is good with me.”

“Spaghetti it is.”

Dad walked in with the rest of the groceries, and after helping Toni put everything away, he came over to me and said, “I guess I’ll leave you two to it unless you want me to stick around. I could help...”

“You can go, Pop. I’m good.”

“You’ll call if you need something?”

“Absolutely.”

“Okay. I’m sure the boys will want to come by and see ya. I’ll tell them to take it easy on you for a couple of days.”

“I’d appreciate that.”

“Alright. I’ll be at the clubhouse if you need me.”

He gave me a pat on the shoulder, then walked over and spoke with Toni. I couldn’t make out what he was saying, but I could tell by her expression that she didn’t like what he had to say. They whispered back and forth for a moment longer, and then Dad slipped out without even glancing in my direction.

Yeah. Something was definitely up.

Pretending like nothing had transpired, Toni continued putting the groceries away until I asked, “What the hell was that all about?”

“What was what about?”

“You and Pop? Seemed like something was going on there.”

“Oh, that was nothing.” I could tell she was lying when she said, “He was just offering to help pay for the groceries and stuff.”

“Hmm. Alright.”

I wanted to push and see if she’d fess up, but I got distracted when the front door opened, and Shep walked in with Ghost. They started towards the kitchen, but the second he spotted Toni, he stopped and motioned for me to come to them. I nodded, then turned to Toni and said, “I’ll be right back.”

When I got to the living room, Shep leaned back on the corner of the sofa and said, “I did what you asked and looked into the new husband and the brother.”

“And?”

“Looks like your new stepdad has run into some financial troubles, and he made them worse by dipping into the company funds.”

“He embezzled?”

“Oh, yeah. And not just a little bit.” He handed me the folder full of intel he’d collected as he added, “We’re talking six digits or more at a time.”

“Holy shit.” I glanced through it, and a knot formed in my throat as I sifted through the various pages. “I don’t get it. He throws all these big ass parties and lets Mom spend money like it’s growing on fucking trees. Why not fess up and stop the crazy?”

“Probably thought he could dig himself out.”

“Yeah, but embezzling? Damn. I wouldn’t have thought he’d pull some shit like that.”

“Desperate men do desperate things.” Shep grimaced as he told me, “There’s something else.”

“Yeah?”

“Prez had me look into him when your mom married him.”

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