Page 14 of Texas Scandal

“That’s mine,” Prescott finally said when it went off again. He pulled a small, thin cell from his front pocket that she didn’t even realize was there. As he read the text that had come through, he frowned.

Melody’s heart sank to her toes. This news was going to be bad.

Chapter Six

Hearing about Melody donating her trust fund to feed the hungry caused Tiernan to look at her in a whole new light. From the sounds of it, she’d been through the ringer with her family and was determined to come out the other side stronger and more independent. Those were traits he admired in a person. But Prescott’s phone and his expression brought Tiernan’s attention back to the present problem.

“I told you that I have investigators working on the case in the background,” Prescott said.

Melody nodded as Tiernan squeezed her hand. He wanted her to know she had support because she’d received precious little. The way a lightning bolt struck the center of his chest when she squeezed back made him wonder how much trouble he was in with her.

“Turns out, Jason Riker is your half-brother,” Prescott said with a grim expression.

Melody sucked in a breath as a look of shock stamped her features.

“Then it’s possible he was coming to meet me and not try to kill me,” she surmised. He hoped she wasn’t being too optimistic. Although, as far as he knew there were no weapons found on the victim. Which didn’t mean there weren’t any. They could have been taken or used on Jason.

“I probably shouldn’t be surprised that I have a half-brother...had,” she corrected herself, “out there somewhere all these years. Maybe the better question is whether there are more siblings.”

“I’ll have to see if I can get access to the accounting from your father’s arrest. I might be able to gain access to the specific evidence against him. Although, it’s still early. Your father has been arrested and the DA will be very careful about not giving away the specifics of his evidence,” Prescott said. “Unless I can link these two cases and then the DA’s office will have to hand it over while I’m in discovery.”

“The thought of connecting my name to my father’s during this trial isn’t exactly warm and fuzzy,” Melody said. “I can also probably kiss off the job I interviewed for, as well. Possibly even my job when news gets out that I’m now linked to a murder and under suspicion.” She grabbed her cell phone and fired off a text to say she wasn’t coming in.

“I’ll do my best to suppress the news, but this will be public record,” Prescott warned. “The sheriff shouldn’t want information leaking about an ongoing murder investigation. I’d have more confidence in his law enforcement abilities if I felt he got the job on merit.”

“I’ve never had occasion to meet the man before,” Tiernan conceded. “My opinion after today is right on target with yours.”

Melody nodded.

“Do you have any questions for me?” Prescott asked as he closed his laptop. He turned and gave his full attention to Melody, making eye contact.

“I’m sure I’ll have a million by morning,” she said, suppressing a yawn. “Right now, I just want to go home and put my head on the pillow in the hopes this was all a bad dream.”

“Fair warning,” Prescott said. “There may be reporters on your doorstep.”

Melody sucked in a breath.

“Why?” She opened her mouth to ask another question and then clamped it shut almost as quickly. “Never mind.”

“Is there somewhere else you can stay for a few days until all the attention dies down?” Prescott asked.

“How about here?” Tiernan asked without giving it much thought. “You’re here already. You’ve yawned three times in the last few minutes. I have a guest room that’s sitting there empty.”

“It’s not a bad idea,” Prescott urged. “If I need to get a hold of either of you for additional questions, you’d be together.”

Melody took a few moments to mull it over. She finally nodded. “If it’s not too much trouble, I’d like to stay tonight.”

Prescott stood and then tucked his laptop underneath his arm. “Lay low for a few days if at all possible.”

“I can call in sick from work,” she said. “If I still have a job.”

Prescott nodded and offered a look of sympathy.

“For what it’s worth, not many people would care how they got their inheritance,” he said. “The fact you did and were willing to walk away from a trust fund because you felt others were defrauded out of money says a lot about your character. It’s an honor to defend you.”

Melody’s smile didn’t reach her eyes but it was easy to see she appreciated the words.

“I don’t know if it was my smartest move now that I’m likely to be unemployed when I wake up tomorrow,” she quipped. “But it still feels like I made the right decision a few years ago, so I wouldn’t change a thing.”

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