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“I think he did it.” Dad’s shrug had my stomach turning. The casualness of how he could talk about a man he knew had saved my life all those years ago just pissed me off to no end. Where was the benefit of the doubt? What happened to innocent until proven guilty?
“The police and FBI said it was a home invasion, and that there were similar ones in the area months prior to her death. Their house was tossed, too. Things were stolen,” I reminded him. “But I think it was a coverup for something. Probably relating to his work with the CIA.” Mom had confirmed he did, in fact, work there before he’d gone MIA.
“Yeah, a coverup all right. So no one found out he hired people to kill her.” Dad tsked. “Even if he didn’t do it, he’s racked up a lot of bodies in this new life of his. Rebecca wouldn’t want that.”
“Now you sound like Mom.”
“Good, glad to know we’re still on the same page even if we’re not married.” He nodded as if delighted at that fact.
“And if someone killed me, would you never stop searching for my killer until you found them?”
Before Dad could answer, Mom walked into the room. “What are you doing here?”
Dad plastered on his fake D.C. smile. “Hey, honey,” he greeted.
Mom did something so uncharacteristic for her, and I nearly laughed when she rolled her eyes at his use of the term of endearment. “What do you want?”
“Brought our daughter a present.” He pointed to the wrapped box on the table.
“She hates jewelry as much as you hate monogamy,” Mom mumbled before quietly leaving the room, and Dad quickly followed after her.
Taking my phone from the coffee table, I went over to the couch and sat, doing my best to ignore their fighting I heard coming from the other room. I’d spent too many years listening to their back-and-forth, and it didn’t seem to bug me any less now.
I sent out a quick message to Sierra. She was back from her honeymoon, which meant I could finally text her about random things all day long without being annoying. She’d married Karl Novak. The Karl Novak as my mom referred to him. His family ran one of the largest defense companies in the U.S.
Me: Hey, both my parents are under the same roof as me right now. Send help. And all the wine, please.
Sierra responded right away, sending a photo of herself while holding a bottle of red.
Sierra: If I could fly to you, I would.
Sierra: You hear back from any of your applications yet?
Me: No, but Mom keeps pushing me to work for her boyfriend or for Barclay Energy.
I’d turned down multiple offers Rebecca had made to work for her, too nervous I’d slip and admit I knew about her drunken night with Craig Paulsen. To be honest, I’d been angry with her for cheating on Carter. Even though she was gone, I still couldn’t bring myself to work there.
Sierra: Why are you reallllly texting me? I know it’s not just about your parents. Something is on your mind, and it’s not work. What’s up?
How’d she always know me so well?
Something was on my mind. Well, someone. Dad had brought that elusive someone up.
Me: You think he’s okay? That he’ll ever be okay?
Sierra: You’re thinking about him again?
Me: Just worried, and before you say I barely know him, and I shouldn’t worry, I can’t help it. I feel connected to him for some reason.
Sierra: Just because he saved your life doesn’t mean you’re indebted to him, or need to play defense on his behalf whenever people roast him in public for all the “sins” he’s apparently committing.
Sierra: Also, Karl heard some things. I didn’t want to tell you, but maybe I should?
That made me sit a little taller. What could her husband have heard that she was too afraid to tell me?
Me: Are these things based on facts or hearsay?
Sierra: Karl saw actual video footage of Carter killing people. Not even with a gun, Di. With a knife. Viciously stabbing them.
