Page 9 of Mine to Save

“I don’t have an answer for that, and while I told them what he told me, it’s evidence. Though I’m not sure how they will use it. Anyway, I sure would like to sit down and speak with you, if that’s okay.”

“Like I said, I’ll come to you. I’d like to see where my father died and retrace his last few days.” She took a seat in the oversized chair in her mother’s den. As a little girl, she’d always loved snuggling next to her mom in this very chair while she read her a bedtime story.

“Are you really sure you want to do that? No offense, but people in this town might not be too receptive, considering what they’re accusing him of—and I mean no disrespect by that, ma’am.”

Right. She doubted that, especially since she was talking to a cop. His job was to believe that her father was guilty. “None taken,” she lied. “I have a different last name. That should help.”

“It should.”

“Then it’s settled.”

“Okay. I’ll text you an address where we can meet since this an unofficial visit, and all my contact information. Just let me know when you’re in town,” Emmett said. “Do you need a recommendation for a hotel? Because if you do, there’s a great little bed and breakfast right on the water in town, and I can make sure you have a room.”

“That would be amazing, thank you.”

“I’ll set it up. See you sometime tomorrow.”

The phone went silent.

She dropped her head back and closed her eyes. She had no idea what to expect when she met with Emmett Kirby. A list of questions had already formed in her mind. There were things she wanted to know about her father, but she doubted this Emmett fella could answer them all. However, maybe he could point her in the right direction to find those answers.

Tap. Tap.

“Hey, sweetheart,” her mother whispered. “Are you okay?”

“I am.” Trinity nodded. “I’m going to head to South Florida tomorrow morning for a few days. Maybe a week.”

“Why would you do that?” Her mom leaned against the doorjamb with a full wine glass in her hand. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

“I want to speak to the people who last spoke to my father. I want to somehow find a way to feel connected to him,” she admitted.

“I know you. You’re going to try to prove that he didn’t murder those men, and I’m telling you, that is a mistake.”

“What is? Trying to prove he didn’t do it? Or believing it?” The words came out a little harsher than Trinity had planned. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt her mother.

“That’s not fair. I’ve told you, I struggle to believe Jeff could have done the horrible things he’s accused of. But he changed after my affair. After he killed Paul.” Her mom took a big gulp of her beverage. “He changed before I started sleeping with Paul. I know this is no excuse, but I married your father because I was pregnant with you. I don’t regret that decision because having you was the best thing that has ever happened to me. But I didn’t love him the way he loved me. I know that’s not fair to you or your dad, but it’s the truth, and if I had been honest from the beginning, maybenoneof this would have happened. That’s something I’ve had to live with since Paul died.”

“Mom, his death wasn’t your fault.” Trinity pushed to her feet and embraced her mother. “I’m sorry if I made you think that’s how I felt.”

“No. It’s not you. It’s me.” Her mother palmed Trinity’s cheek. “Most days, I can reconcile that your father’s actions were his and his alone. However, there are moments where I rewind to what Paul and I were doing, and I know the buck stops there. I made a choice not to tell you about your dad because I thought I could spare you the pain of what happened.”

“You must have known that someone would tell me some day.”

“Your name was different, and we moved one town over. I honestly didn’t think anyone would put it together. However, once your father finished his sentence, and that reporter decided to do that exposé exposing our dirty little secret, you became so angry at the world. I didn’t think it would be healthy for you to see him, and I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to go chasing down a ghost now.”

“I’m not sixteen anymore,” Trinity said.

“Maybe not. But you have to know the reason I didn’t want you to see your father after you found everything out. It was because of the things you were going through—all that anger and your temper. I was worried about you and how you’d respond once you met him.”

“You think I’m going to revert back to being an angry adolescent?”

“I didn’t say that. However, I don’t think you should go digging into whatever it is your father has been doing for the last twenty years. What if you don’t like what you find?”

“I need to know, Mom. Or at least I need to try to fill in some holes. Can you understand and support me on that?”

“Of course, I can. But do you have to go tomorrow?”

Trinity laughed. “If I don’t, you’ll keep trying to talk me out of it.”

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