Page 44 of Texas Scandal

Tiernan followed her inside the entryway of her brother’s palatial home. Coop had darker hair. His muddy-brown eyes were cradled by dark circles. As much as Melody didn’t want to read too much into her brother’s nervous disposition, it was hard not to under the circumstances. Melody reminded herself that Coop had been stepping in at work to take their father’s place while the business was under investigation, and also while maintaining the man’s innocence in corporate affairs.

Coop took exactly five steps into the two-story foyer, stopped and then spun around on them. “What can I help you with today?” Up close, his complexion was ruddy and stress cracks were permanently etched around his eyes and mouth. All signs of the carefree, life-comes-easy brother from years ago were gone. The one who made the family proud on the sports field, oftentimes being carried on his teammates’ shoulders after a game-winning play, was no longer the person standing in front of her. Instead, she stared into bloodshot mud orbs.

“Did you hear about the break-in at Mom’s?” she asked, tilting her head to one side as she examined Coop.

He threw his hands in the air. “I’m just glad she wasn’t home at the time. Who knows what might have happened then.”

“Interesting to note not much was taken,” she continued with a nod of acknowledgment. “And, yes, I’m relieved our mother is fine.”

“I’m guessing the person was casing the place,” Coop said a little too enthusiastically. Besides, when did he use terms like “casing” during normal conversation? Was he watching cop shows all of a sudden?

“Could have been,” Melody said. “I’m sure the law will conduct a thorough investigation and nail the bastard responsible.”

She caught a two-second flash of emotion pass behind his eyes. Again, she was scrutinizing her brother and it might not be warranted. Everyone in the family had been through a lot since their father’s arrest. Coop had taken it the hardest since he worked most closely with their dad.

“Yes,” he said. “That’s the hope.”

“Do you think we should hire our own investigators?” she asked, reaching for something to catch him off guard with. “Just in case the police aren’t as thorough as we would like them to be?”

“It’s an idea,” Coop said, his voice unchanged. “We can talk it over.” He folded his arms. “It might be spending money unnecessarily, though. With Dad’s legal troubles, money isn’t as free-flowing as it used to be.”

“The expenses must be racking up,” Melody said. “I’d help if I could.”

“Your inheritance is gone,” Coop said quickly. A little too quickly? She must have shot a look because he added, “You gave it away a long time ago and divorced yourself from the family financially. No one expects you to pick up now and suddenly start contributing.”

“Speaking of family,”Melody said. “Where’s Janice?”

“Dubai,” he said. “She’s been there all month with her charity league.”

Melody nodded before redirecting the subject. “Have the police been here lately?”

Coop’s eyes widened to saucers, and he didn’t blink. “No. Why?”

“Just curious,” she said. “With the theft at Mom’s place, I thought maybe they’d stopped by to question you.”

“I was the first one Mom called when this happened,” Coop said. “They talked to me at Mom’s place since I went over immediately.”

“Oh, really,” she said. His normal “tell” signs conflicted with each other. “I only just found out about it.”

“I told Mom not to call and worry you,” he said.

“Why would you do that?” she questioned. What reason on earth could he have for wanting to keep something as important as their mother’s home being broken into from her?

“Because you have enough on your plate with the job search,” he said.

Since when did her brother start keeping such close tabs on her? Melody wanted to believe this was all out of good will, but her gut instincts were picking up on red flags. Coop was hiding something.

“Where were you that night when Mom called?” she asked.

“I was at a Longhorn game and stayed at the family cabin,” he said. She must have shot quite the look because he immediately said, “Do you want to see the receipts?”

Given he was so quick to offer, she declined. Coop loved his alma mater and was involved as an alumnus.

Before she became too defensive about their mother not making any secret out of favoring Coop over Melody, she said, “I’m glad you were there for her. She didn’t quite sound herself on the phone.”

“The whole event shook her up,” he said.

“I can only imagine how awful and violated she must have felt to have her personal space invaded like that,” Melody said, thinking about the parallel to Tiernan’s workshop—a workshop he’d obviously lovingly built and took great pride in. Frustration settled over her along with a weighty feeling of helplessness that had no business on her shoulders.

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