Page 139 of Call Back

His face paled.

“Did Max and Neil try to kill my father?”

“Why would they do such a thing? Winterhaven was at least five years behind us. Water under the bridge.” He frowned. “I take it you spoke to Rowena.” When I nodded, he said, “Consider the source, Magnolia. She wants to hurt you.”

“I want the truth, Bill.”

“Bill,” Gemma said from the doorway. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but Mitch Kennedy is on the phone. He insists you take his call.”

Bill looked conflicted, but he shook his head and stood. “I’m sorry, Magnolia, but we’ll have to pick this up later. Maybe we could meet for dinner next week. Let’s eat here so we can talk discreetly. Gemma will cook.”

“Yes,” I said, standing, trying to sound amicable so he would talk to me again if the need arose. “Of course. Sorry to interrupt your day.”

“No,” he said, walking over and pulling me into a loose embrace. “You are always welcome in my home. I tried to be more of a presence in your life after your father left, but your mother . . .” He grimaced. “Let’s just say she never forgave me for your father’s indiscretions.”

It took everything in me not to cringe when he touched me.

“I never had children,” he said as he walked to the doorway. “I know I’ll never be your father, but I’d like you to know someone is here for you. Especially after your mother . . . passes. Let’s just say I’ve already assumed that role for your brother. I’d be honored to take it on with you.”

“Thank you,” I said in genuine shock. What game was he playing?

Bill turned to Gemma, who was still standing in the hallway. “Be sure to schedule a dinner for me and Magnolia this week before she goes.”

She nodded. “Yes, sir.”

Yes, sir?Were they into some kind of dom-sub thing? The thought of Bill James as a dom . . . disgusting.

“Which night would work better for you, Magnolia?” Gemma asked as Bill went up the staircase.

“Uh . . . I’m not sure,” I said honestly. “My mother’s in the hospital.”

She gave me a worried look. “Can I pencil you in for Thursday? You can cancel if need be. He told me to schedule a dinner, and if I don’t . . .”

“Yeah,” I said in attempt to calm her. “That’s fine.”

“Thank you.” She hid her face, looking embarrassed.

Was she in an abusive relationship like Belinda? That might explain the whole taking Roy under his wing thing. “How long have you and Bill been dating?”

Her face jerked up, her mouth open in surprise. “Oh. We’re not dating. I’m his personal assistant.”

“Oh,” I said, scrunching my brow. “I thought he had a girlfriend.” When she shook her head, I added, “I could swear Roy told me he was on a date Wednesday. It sounded like things were getting serious.” So I had changed Roy for Brady . . .

“Oh, no,” Gemma said. “Bill hasn’t dated for months.”

Gemma seemed clueless about maintaining his alibi. Who was the woman who claimed to have slept in Bill’s bed? If it weren’t true, he might not have an alibi at all.

Or was Brady lying? I wasn’t sure I could entertain this idea, yet it burrowed in my brain anyway.

As soon as I got into the car, I pulled out my phone, turned off the recorder, and texted Colt.

I’m fine. False alarm.

He called within seconds.

“What the hell, Magnolia? I looked up that address. You went to see Bill James. What were you thinking?”

“It turns out Bill James had an alibi the night Emily died—well, maybe—so I figured there’d be no harm. I needed answers only he could give.”

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