Page 45 of When You're Safe

Winters took ameasured breath, her gaze sweeping over each face. “Were any of you aware thathe was up at the Hopkins Farm today?”

The heirs exchangedglances, a tangible unease spreading among them. It was Morgan, tearsglistening in her eyes, who finally answered, her voice filled with a blend ofpain and frustration.

“It’s no usetrying to keep it hidden,” she said, her voice quivering. “Yes, Nathaniel wouldfrequently visit the farm. He… he was an alcoholic. The farm was his escape, aplace filled with the memories of a happier past.”

Winters took amoment to process this, her eyes thoughtful. “Why the farm in particular?”

Morgan swallowedhard. “It’s where we spent most of our summers as children. It was… an escapefrom the expectations of the DeGrey name. A place where we could just be kids,away from the prying eyes of society. Nathaniel… he just couldn’t let go ofthose memories, and he’d often retreat there, wallowing in the past. He was agentle soul.”

Finn’sexpression grew more intent, the investigator in him piecing together a biggerpicture. “Was Nathaniel’s drinking also linked to financial issues? We’ve heardrumors that several businesses attached to the family weren’t doing well.”

Lloyd shot hima sharp glance, his voice filled with cold confidence. “Certainly not. DeGreyenterprises are more than stable.”

But Morgan,her defenses crumbling, countered, “Lloyd, it’s no use hiding the truth anylonger.” She turned back to the detectives, her expression earnest. “Yes, therewere a few businesses struggling, but it wasn’t just that. It was the weight ofthe DeGrey name, the expectations, the constant pressure. Nathaniel feltresponsible for each misstep, every failing, and he drowned his sorrows away.”

The room wasthick with tension, and each revelation seemed to peel back layers of thecomplex DeGrey family dynamics. Frau Wolf’s face was a mask, revealing nothing,but her hands clenched the back of a chair with white-knuckled intensity.

The weight ofthe DeGrey name, it seemed, was both a blessing and a curse.

Taking hisphone out and showing a picture of the blue disposable vape from his pocket, Finnposed his next question. “Does any member of the family use this?” He moved thephone around, ensuring each of them got a clear look at it.

There was amomentary silence as all eyes turned to the object. Elizabeth, her featurespinched, finally replied, “While none of us vape, I do recall Nathanieloccasionally smoking. With the growing popularity of vaping, it wouldn’t be astretch to think he might have shifted to that. He had a problem with a lot ofthings. I wish he had been strong enough to stop relying on other things to getthrough life. We all have problems, he should have faced his.”

That seemedcallous to Finn, and he wasn’t the only one to think it. As Elizabeth offeredher input, he didn’t miss the quick, yet unmistakable roll of Morgan’s eyes.The subtle gesture spoke volumes about the underlying tensions in the room.Observing their body language, Finn was convinced that the relationships withinthe DeGrey family were far from harmonious. Elizabeth, in particular, seemed todraw ire or disdain from the others.

Francisshifted uncomfortably on his feet, looking anywhere but at Elizabeth. Lloyd,meanwhile, clenched his jaw and let out a barely audible sigh, while Morgan’sface was a canvas of suppressed annoyance.

Seizing uponthe moment, Winters further probed the family dynamics. “I’m sensing sometension here,” she began, her eyes scanning the faces before her. “It’sessential for us to understand the relationships within the family. Are thereany disagreements or issues we should know about?”

Morgan let outa dry laugh. “Disagreements? In the DeGrey family? That’s putting it mildly.With our legacy come expectations, rivalries, and yes, disagreements. We mightshare a name, but it doesn’t mean we’re bound in harmony.”

Lloyd quicklyintervened, a note of warning in his voice. “Morgan, there’s no need to air ourfamily’s dirty laundry in front of the authorities.”

Morgan shothim a defiant look. “They need to know the truth, Lloyd. We can’t keeppretending. Any one of us could be next.”

Finn exchangeda knowing glance with Winters. It was becoming increasingly clear that theDeGrey family was ensnared in a web of complex relationships. To unravel themystery of Nathaniel’s death, they would have to untangle this intricatetapestry of emotions, loyalties, and hidden grudges.

Winters lookedat each of the DeGrey family members in turn. “We need to establish whereeveryone was in the last few hours. Can you each tell us your whereabouts?”

Francis andLloyd said almost at the same time: “I was in bed.”

Lloyd thensaid, “I haven’t been sleeping well with everything that’s been going on, whichI’m sure you can understand. So I was awake, but in bed with a good book.”

Morgan echoedthis. “I was in bed as well, but I was awake, too.”

Elizabeth,appearing hesitant, added, “I too was resting. It’s been a taxing few days.”

Finn noticedsomething in Morgan’s demeanor again. She gave a look to Lloyd, one filled withworry.

“Morgan, whatis it?” Finn asked gently.

“Nothing…” Shehesitated.

“ForgiveMorgan,” Elizabeth said. “She can be so anxious at times. But don’t worry, we’llkeep a good eye on her. We always do.”

It was thenthat Morgan’s voice cut through the room with the precision of a surgeon’sscalpel, as though she had finally had enough. “None of that’s true, Elizabeth.I saw you outside. You weren’t resting, you were wandering the grounds.”

Elizabeth’seyes widened, and she stammered, “I… I forgot. I went out for a walk. The wallswere closing in on me, I had to take a quick breather, then I went back to bed.”

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