Page 169 of Cold Case, Warm Hearts

His stepbrother sent him a quelling look. “I’ve done nothing to my assistant, and she’s not going anywhere.” His fingers pressed against Becca’s elbow and he moved her toward the chair by the window in the living room. “Mrs. Jeffries will bring you some tea. Have a seat, and I’ll see you at dinner. You need some rest.” His meaningful look failed to impact his brother who followed them toward the seating area.

Becca nodded and sank onto the overstuffed chair. The events of the past two days made her feel she was caught in the maelstrom of a whirlpool. She hardly knew where to start her search.

Nick lounged on a nearby chair with one leg thrown over the arm. Max glanced at him. “Keep an eye on her while I try to get some work done.”

“That’s an cushy job. She’s easy on the eyes.” Nick’s grin made Becca’s face heat.

Nick’s grin was wide and infectious, and Becca found herself smiling back at him. “Your brother can be a bit gruff,” she said.

“A bit? That’s like saying Lake Superior is a bit cold.” He leaned over and grabbed the TV remote and flipped on the television.

“The two of you seem to get along well.”

Nick grinned. “He’s a great brother. A bit too anxious to run my life sometimes, but there’s never any doubt it’s because he cares.”

“You’re the youngest?”

Nick nodded. “Our mother left him and his father for my dad. To give Max credit, he could have resented me for that, but he never has even when I disappoint him.”

That explained a lot of Max’s prickly manner. She couldn’t help the niggle of sympathy for him. “How old was he when she left?”

“Five.” Nick smiled. “Let’s not talk about my brother. When are you going to go out to dinner with me?”

“Whenever you like.” Getting out of the house and hearing what the townspeople had to say about the accident might be a good idea.

“How about Friday night? There’s not much happening in town, but we can get a change of scenery.”

“Sounds good.” She began to relax. Mrs. Jeffries brought in the tea. Sipping the strong brew, Becca felt her buoyancy return. She could do this. She had to find her parents’ killer.

“About seven?”

“Okay.”

His grin widened, and he turned on a ballgame and was soon engrossed in it. Swallowing the last of her tea, Becca stood. Nick was so caught up in the game, he didn’t notice her leave the room. Becca wandered down the hall and out the back door where she heard voices in the garden.

Tate and Shayna were arguing on the terrace. Tate stood with his fists clenched at his side, his red face thrust forward like an angry rooster.

“You have no concept of money, Shayna!” He stepped back and ran his hand through his hair. “It doesn’t grow on trees. You’ve got to watch what you spend.”

“What else is there to do on this crappy island but shop? It’s not like Wilson’s carries anything but staples. I didn’t get anything I didn’t need.” She stood and ran her hand along her husband’s arm. “Don’t be mad, Tate. It wasn’t that much.”

“Maybe today’s wasn’t, but what about the camera you bought on Ebay last week? It all adds up, Shayna.”

Becca took a step back and looked for a place to escape. She twisted the doorknob behind her, but the door had locked.

Tate continued to rage. “It was nearly a thousand dollars. A thousand dollars we don’t have, I might add.” He turned and saw Becca standing by the door. His face flushed a dull red, and he gave a shaky laugh. “Uh, hello Becca. I didn’t see you there.”

Becca wanted to sink through the floor. “Hi Tate. I didn’t mean to interrupt.”

“We’re done,” Shayna said. “Tate has work to do.”

“I sure do,” Tate muttered, the anger in his face rearing again. “I have some calls to make.” He went to the door, frowning when it wouldn’t open. “Stupid latch is always doing that.” He disappeared around the side of the house.

“Sorry you had to see that,” Shayna said. She stretched like the giant cat she put Becca in mind of with her red mane of hair and lithe limbs. The little girl lost expression in her face was at odds with the sophisticated woman Becca had first thought her.

“So what’s to do around here?” Becca asked, sitting in the chair opposite Shayna.

“We can play croquet. Or go to town and browse through the fishing store. That’s about it. I’m glad there’s another woman here. We could play cards or a board game.”

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