“That would be great, Jane. Thank you,” Paradise said.
“I’m hopeful some of the pictures will help us solve Bea’s murder too. Thank you for trusting me with this.” Jane rose. “Let me get these to the lab.”
Chapter 36
Warmth spread through Paradise’s chest at being in Brady’s restaurant again. She stared at the gorgeous emerald on her engagement ring and remembered the light in Blake’s eyes when he’d asked her to marry him. This place would always be special to her when she thought about that day and the family dinner that followed right here at this table.
She buttered a dinner roll and watched the door. “You think Bear’s avoiding us? He’s five minutes late.”
Drew lifted a brow. “Traffic?”
Abby chuckled. “I don’t think so. He might be delaying the inevitable as long as possible. At least he agreed to meet up for dinner. Taylor too. I’m surprised your grandparents didn’t accept the invitation.”
“They gave no excuses either,” Drew said. “Just a ‘Sorry we can’t make it.’ Maybe they’re trying to preserve the warm feelings. Though Bear was welcoming.”
Paradise glanced at the door again. “There they are.” She rose and waved.
Drew’s uncle and half sister threaded their way through thetables to this larger one toward the back of the restaurant. Paradise had hoped to meet Taylor’s husband, Troy, but oil executives were often out of town. Or so they’d told them at the party. She had to wonder if they were living apart. They had no children either.
Drew rose to greet them. He touched his sister’s shoulder and she stepped back before he could hug her. He shook Bear’s hand. “Thanks for joining us.”
“Glad to spend more time with you,” Bear said. “I was pulled away so often at the party we hardly got to know you.”
Conversation paused as the server took their drink orders. Paradise smiled at Taylor. “You look lovely in that color.” Taylor’s robin’s-egg-blue dress brought out the shade of her eyes.
“Thank you. I love your hair. I never told you that the other day.”
“Thank you. We have a common acquaintance. Governor George has been to the refuge several times and has been a great help with saving the animals.”
Taylor smiled. “Her son Josh is a treasure.”
“He’s a good kid,” Bear said. “Tell me about how you guys came to own a refuge like The Sanctuary.”
Paradise let Blake take over, and she watched Bear’s face as he heard about the original roadside zoo owned by the Steerforths. “I think I visited that place once. I’m a nut for big cats, especially leopards. Black panthers are my favorite. I’ll have to come see your place before I go back to Texas. It’s not that far.”
“No, it’s not,” Blake said. “Let us know when you’re coming, and we’ll give you the grand tour.”
“Maybe Saturday? What kinds of big cats do you have?”
“Tigers, lions, ligers, jaguars, leopards, and cougars. We had a cheetah, but she was old and passed away last year. Big cats are my favorite too. Our white tigers are very popular.”
“I look forward to the tour.” Bear took a sip of his tea.
Paradise chose her words carefully. They’d decided not to tell anyone about the car in the governor’s garage just yet. “The governor said your families have been close for years.”
Taylor reached for a roll. “I’ve known them my whole life. When Josh applied to be my aide, I jumped on it. He’s a little younger than me, and he’s worked for me for five years.”
Drew shot Paradise a “my turn” glance. “We’ve been thinking about how peculiar it is that Ben’s Barracuda was taken. Do you know how he got it?”
Taylor shook her head. “It was in the garage as far back as I can remember.”
Bear put his dinner roll on the plate. “Ben was a nut for muscle cars from the time he was a kid. He talked Dad into taking us to car shows, and the big Mopars were his favorite. He could spend hours going over specs and peering at interiors. Not me. Bored me to death, but Dad thought it was a good bonding experience for us.” Bear reached for his drink. “He never understood the two of us were oil and water.”
So the brothers were at odds before Pamela came into the picture. Paradise couldn’t understand it. She loved Drew dearly and only wanted his happiness.
“It happens with siblings. Look at Cain and Abel,” Drew said.
“Well, I never thought to murder him if that’s what you’re implying.” Bear’s tone rose a notch.
