Page 79 of One of Six

Ed rolls his eyes. "Don't think I don't know you're crossing your fingers."

I grin. "Oops." I move the laptop to an end table. "I'll go check on David."

"I'm going to kill them,"David says as he senses my approach. "They took everything." He looks devastated as he turns to me.

I feel overwhelmed. What do I say to this man, my father? I don't say anything, but I sit down next to him, wrap my arms around one of his and rest my head on his shoulder. We sit in silence for a long time before he rests his cheek on my head.

"She didn't tell me about you because she was afraid of what Richard and Judge would do to me if she did." He sighs. "All this time, Elisabeth gave me a daughter and I didn't know it."

I want to cry with him. I say, "We know the truth now. When this is over, we can spend time together. I know we have over the years, but I don't know you. I want to,Dad."

David cries and I stay close to him until he calms down. "Did Ed do the timeline?"

"With my help, yes." I pull away gently and add with a smile. "He's in the kitchen flirting with Maggie."

He groans. "That's not going to go down well with her six sons."

"Essex is more than happy to leave that to Atilio."

He grunts and gets to his feet. He holds out his hands and takes mine, pulling me to my feet. "We're going to get them good, Bea. I promise you that."

"You have to promise me you won't do anything stupid. I need you."

Watching me carefully, he pulls me into his arms. "I promise. I need you too. I'll teach you to fish."

"Um, is that optional?"

He chuckles. "Still don't like bait, huh?"

"That'll never change."

I'm about to step into the house when David stops me. "I meant what I said before. The only time I ever killed anyone was a drug dealer who tried to shoot me. Luckily, his aim was bad. Mine wasn't."

"I believe you. I did before, too."

31

BEATRICE

I stand with Essex,David, and Ed as we stare at the board that Ed put together with my help.

I'd been wrong. While I was with David, Ed had been working and not flirting with Maggie.

Steven Gibbs—13 years ago—inspected the first house—Green Oaks.

Robert Tate—12 years ago—contracted roofer—Green Oaks.

George Wilcox—8 years ago—Remington's cement truck driver—Green Oaks.

Roscoe Dale—8 years ago—contracted stonemason (Fireplaces)—Green Oaks.

Peter Frederick—7 years ago—Lawyer for Lincoln Construction—Green Oaks.

Vince Foyle—7 years ago—Peter Frederick's life partner.

Deedee Boyle—4 years ago—Accountant for Lincoln Construction—Having an affair with Richard. Baby his?

Joshua Redd—4 years ago—contracted carpenter—Green Oaks.

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