Page 79 of Puzzle for Two

“Oh.”Zach’s face warmed.

“He was especially worried because I guess you guys had a fight and he was feeling like he maybe came down on you too hard.” Brooke was as painstaking as if she were trying to explain something in a foreign language.

“He— Really?” Zach was flustered, slightly confused, and not even sure why. “I mean, it wasn’t afightfight. He…disagreed with some of my choices.” To put it mildly.

“Don’t we all. Anyway, he’s under the delusion that you’re a lot more sensitive than you are. And because you’d just called to tell me what had happened, I told him.”

“I see. I guess that makes sense.”

“Andhe was really worried. Even after I told him you were perfectly fine.” Brooke stared at him with gimlet-eyed intensity.

Zach blinked. “Right. Got it.” He added, “I don’t know what that look’s for.”

“He. Was. Really. Worried. About.You. Zee. Because helikesyou. A lot.”

Zach gave a nervous laugh. “No, I don’t think...” He swallowed. “I don’t think it’s likethat.” He asked uncertainly, “Do you?”

“Yes. What do you think I’m doing here? I’m trying to clue you in before you blow it.”

“B-b-blow it? What are you talking about? How am I blowing anything?” A very unseemly but unexpectedly exciting picture flashed into Zach’s mind. He felt himself change color—mostly out of fear Brooke might read his mind. “I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

“You don’t have to tell me.” Brooke sighed. “Zee, did you never wonder why Flint was always dropping by when you were in the office and Pop was out?”

“I don’t recall Flint dropping by a lot.”

“It was a lot for someone who had no reason to drop by! Why do you think Ben disliked Flint so much?”

Zach frowned. Hehadwondered about that. Ben had always been so critical and suspicious of Flint, with seemingly little reason. Granted, Zach hadn’t had the highest opinion of Flint either. Back then, he’d considered Flint a blunt and abrasive Magnum PI knockoff. Partly, that had been defensiveness borne of his suspicion that Flint thought he was nothing more than a bean counter in a nice suit. Partly, he’d let Ben’s feelings color his own perception.

It turned out they’d both been wrong.

But, taking into account Detective Schneider, Brooke probably had it wrong, too.

“Anyway, I’m fine. Everything’s fine. I’ll just talk to Bill and then I’m going to do some deep diving into Alton’s financial records.”

“Do we have Alton’s financial records?”

“We have what Alton wanted us to see. So, not everything, no. I’m working on it.” Alton’s reluctance to share crucial information about his business and finances should have been a red flag, but there had been somanyred flags with Alton, Zach had quickly of lost track.

“What can I do?” Brooke asked.

Zach opened his mouth to give her the usual spiel, but it suddenly, belatedly dawned on him that not only was Brooke sincere, she was smart, capable, and resourceful—a valuable asset in other words—that he continually overlooked and dismissed. Yes, she was his kid sister. Yes, he wanted her to reach her full potential. But by ignoring, discounting Brooke’s wishes, was he maybe making the same mistakes with her that Pop had made with him?

Pop had wanted what was best for Zach and Zach wanted what was best for Brooke.

But Zach had ultimately rebelled against Pop’s plans for him, and Brooke was already starting to balk at Zach’s ambitions for her.

“Hellooo?” Brooke peered into Zach’s face. “Did you forget to charge your battery pack again?”

“Yes. I mean, no, and yes, you can help.”

“You’re kidding.”

“Were you not serious?”

“Yes, I’m serious! But you always—never mind. What do you want me to do?”

“If you could head over to the county courthouse and see what you can find out as far as pending lawsuits, criminal actions, or judgements against our client, either personally or professionally.Andour client’s wife.”

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