Page 31 of Frosted and Sliced

“We start in the most logical place,” Burke said.

“Mars? At this point nothing is logical to me,” Georgie replied.

“No, we begin with your brother.”

CHAPTER 14

Georgette hadn’t been to Brody’s office for a long, long time. When he first became chief of police for their small town, she’d visited practically every day, ostensibly to bring him food, but really because she was so proud she couldn’t contain her joy for him. And then one day she realized how stilted and awkward he seemed when she was around, and she realized he didn’t actually want her there. He would never say that, of course. If asked, he would tell her that of course he wanted her there, she was his sister. She was always welcome. But Georgie knew, even if he didn’t say, that having her there invaded his space, the one little space in this town that was only for him, not for her. It remained part of the unacknowledged truth that hovered awkwardly between them: Brody’s resentment and Georgie’s guilt.

“What’s the matter? You got all squirmy when I mentioned your brother,” Burke said.

“What? No I didn’t. I’m not squirmy;you’resquirmy.”

He didn’t reply, just gave her a look like,Why are you so weird?

She let out a protracted breath. “It’s just this thing.”

“What thing?” He reached over the console and poked her arm, urging her to continue.

She withdrew her arm, pressing away from him into the door. “Didn’t anyone ever tell you that Mainers don’t like to talk about things?”

“That’s why I love Maine,” he said, nodding. “But this seems like something I need to know and understand.”

She couldn’t fathom why, but she could also feel the words pressing against her lips, ready to be blurted. “Brody resents me because he had to give up his career in the military.” As soon as the words were out, she wished she could take them back in again. She tried, pressing both palms over her mouth, but too late.

“He said that?” Burke’s hands tensed on the wheel.

“No, of course not, he would never say that. He’s a good brother, thebestbrother. He’s very dutiful. He would never give voice to that resentment, but I always knew it was there. How could I not? One day his walls were littered with marine recruitment posters and then, almost immediately after our parents died, his walls were bare and he was permanent guardian of his helpless little sister.”

“You think you’re helpless?” Burke surveyed her critically, trying to see if she was serious.

She shrugged. “In some ways.”

He snorted, a derisive sound. “In no ways. Anyway, back to the brother. He made you feel bad?”

“No.” She shook her head, vehement now. “He did everything right, always. He always showed up, always supported me, paid every bill on time, made supper, took care of the house, mowed the lawn. He was the best surrogate mother and father I could have had. But he would get this look sometimes…” She trailed off, her gaze turning out the window, remembering how it had been. She had sensed Brody’s sadness and longing, had felt theweight of it like a physical thing. But what could she do? Outside of trying to be the easiest, best kid she could possibly be, there was nothing. She’d had nowhere else to go, no one else to turn to. “The worst part, for me at least, is the guilt. It has eaten at me every day since our parents died. Knowing I was a dream squasher, whether I intended to be or not, you have no idea what that feels like.”

He was quiet a few beats, thoughtful. At last he said, “Maybe not, but I do know what the weight of family responsibility feels like, and at some point you have to let it go. To consciously throw off the mantle of what you can’t control. It wasn’t your fault your parents died, wasn’t your fault Brody had to be your guardian.”

“Whose fault was it, though?”

“No one’s. Sometimes things happen, it is what it is.” He tossed her an assessing glance. “Why didn’t he join up after you left for culinary school?”

That gave her pause. She stared into space with her mouth open a few beats, shocked speechless. In her entire life, she had never asked herself (or Brody) that question. It was a good one, though, a really good one. She had been a few states away. Why hadn’t he pursued his dream then, once she was safely out of the nest? “Huh,” she said.

She wanted to think about it more, but too late; they had arrived.

Burke sat for a minute, regarding the building. Georgie wondered what he saw when he looked at the small structure that housed not only the police department, but also the water department, mayor’s office, and library. If he thought anything, he didn’t say it, however, so when he exited the car, she followed close behind him.

Brody and Cotton sat close together in Brody’s office, talking. From the outside, it looked like they were merely shooting the breeze, but Georgie knew better. Her brother was nothing ifnot conscientious; he wouldn’t waste work time talking about personal matters, a fact confirmed when they caught the tail end of their conversation.

“…prescription, but couldn’t provide one,” Cotton said, shaking his head with either annoyance or dismay. “I told him that would be the easy way. Now we’re going to have to get a warrant.”

Brody nodded. “Let me know if you need me to have a word with someone.” Her brother could be very persuasive. While some men, men like Cotton, could use charm and cajoling to get what they wanted, Brody had a way of shaming people into it, as if they were doing something bad or letting him down and needed to make amends.

“I think I can sway him, but we’ll see how it goes,” Cotton said. He stood and caught sight of Georgie and Burke, beaming a friendly smile. “Hey, Georgie. Did you bring food?”

Cotton had been her brother’s best friend since middle school, so Georgie had a level of comfort with him she didn’t feel with most people. Since he and Elyse got together, she had never seen him so settled or happy, and she felt vicarious delight for both of them. Now she gave his shoulder a light shove. “No, mooch. Burke needs to talk to Brody.”

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