Page 52 of Silos and Sabotage

Ella was too overwhelmed to respond.

“I’m sorry for keeping you at arms’ length for so long,” her mother continued brokenly. “I had myself convinced it was the only way I could protect you, and maybe it was while you were growing up, but no longer. Things are going to be different from now on.”

The hum of a motor sounded in the distance. It grew louder as it came their way.

Gage and Johnny exchanged a look that had Johnny leaping into action. “How about y’all head on out to the gazebo to finish your visit?” He made a sweeping gesture toward the dock. “You’ll have more privacy there. I’ll keep watch out here.”

“I’ll stay with him.” Gage held out a credit card-sized piece of white plastic to Ella. “This is Jillian’s lake pass. Scan it at the door to unlock the gazebo.”

“Thanks.” She accepted the card, flicking her gaze toward the sound of the approaching vehicle. Was it her grandfather?

He shooed them toward the gazebo with an urgency that told her he wanted to intercept Mr. Bolander first. “Go enjoy the view with your mom. I’ll catch up with you in a bit.”

She thanked him with her eyes, then linked arms with her mother. They strolled together toward the dock.

“What was that all about?” Her mother eyed her curiously.

“There was a development on the case today,” she confided softly.

“Tell me everything,” her mother commanded, placing her other hand over the ones Ella had curled around her arm.

As they walked across the dock, she shared the news about Billy Bob’s lookalike pickups, the driver she’d watched get arrested, and his claim that Raleigh Bolander would be bailing him out in two snaps.

Her mother’s expression darkened. “Somehow, I doubt that. Though I’m no fan of the Bolanders, Creston disinherited his youngest son years ago. That means Raleigh will inherit everything. It makes no sense for him to rock that boat.”

They reached the gazebo, and Ella swiped Jillian’s lake pass to let them in. The gate swung open, and they stepped inside. The end facing the lake had no sailing gear mounted to it, giving them a clear view of the secluded alcove.

“Heart Lake is so beautiful.” Avery Radcliffe gripped the railing and gazed out over the blue rippling water. “Every time I visit it, I want to stay and soak up all this peacefulness forever.”

Ella could hear the vehicle behind them finish its approach. A door slammed, and there was a hubbub of male voices. She ventured a glance over her shoulder and spotted a white-haired gentleman conferring with Gage. He had to be Creston Bolander. Her heart thudded with a mix of anticipation and dread. On the upside, her mother seemed oblivious to what was happening behind them.

Ella returned to soaking up the view in front of them. “Have you considered buying a piece of waterfront property for yourself?”

“Considered it? Yes.” Her mother’s voice was dismissive. “Will I ever do it? Probably not. My father would have a fit if I left home.”

“How come?” Ella blurted. Was that why her parents’ marriage had failed? She still knew so little about the Radcliffes.

Her mother took her time answering. “He’s old school. Since I never remarried, he considers it his responsibility to look after me. He clung to me all the more after my mother died. We lost her to cancer while I was in college. Between grieving for her and picking up the pieces after my divorce, I moved back home and stayed too long. I wouldn’t have the heart to leave him now.”

“I’m sorry you lost your mom at such an early age.” It saddened Ella to learn that she would’ve never met her maternal grandmother, not even if her parents had stayed married.

“Dad was never the same after she died,” her mother continued. “I’m not making excuses for him. He’s a tough nut who’s not very well liked by anyone besides me and his administrative assistant, Blain. Goodness, but that man puts up with a lot! All rough edges aside, though, I really do think that losing Mom is what made my dad so bitter.”

“That must be hard for you.” Ella couldn’t imagine living day in and day out with someone who chose to wallow in misery.

The hubbub of men’s voices grew closer, making her tense.

Her mother shrugged. “It’s a big house. Sometimes we go days without seeing each other, though we usually meet up for dinner on the weekends.” She gave Ella a tight smile. “Besides, it’ll all be mine someday. Staying there saves me the trouble of moving back.”

“You mean when you inherit Radcliffe Industries?” Ella’s brain snapped back into investigative mode. She hadn’t yet ruled out Walker Radcliffe as a suspect in her father’s murder.

“Exactly.” Her mother gave her a sharp look. “Why don’t you just ask me what you really want to ask me?”

Ella was embarrassed that she’d been that transparent. “It’s kind of hard to fool a psychiatrist, huh?”

“Or your mother.” Avery Radcliffe rolled her eyes.

“You said your father is a hard man.” Ella feared there wasn’t any way to phrase her suspicions that wouldn’t cause offense.

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