Page 103 of Taken Away

Walter watched her quietly.

“You think Mercer had something to do with this.”

“I think Mabel was murdered right before a major estate transfer. I think the winery destabilizing would trigger a contract clause worth a fortune to Mercer. I think Vanessa Mercer had access, knowledge, and motive.”

Walter’s expression softened. “She’s close with Bennett.”

Aubrey stiffened before she could stop herself.

“Yes. I noticed.”

Walter gave her a look so gentle it almost made her flinch.

“Careful with jealousy, child. It makes smart women look in the wrong direction.”

Heat pricked the back of Aubrey’s neck.

“I’m not jealous,” she said, a little too fast.

“No,” Walter said mildly, lifting his coffee. “Of course not.”

She heard Machelle’s voice in her head—Oh, honey, that tone means you absolutely are—and shoved it down with the rest.

“I’m looking at facts.”

“Good.” Walter’s voice stayed kind. “Facts are safer than feelings.”

For some reason, that landed like a warning.

Aubrey gathered the Mercer contract, the rate schedules, and two years of quarterly casing reports.

“I need to talk to Bennett.”

Walter’s brows lifted. “Now?”

“Yes.”

“He’s likely in his office.”

“Perfect.”

She stood so quickly Moose lifted his head beneath the table.

Walter rose too, slower, one hand braced on the chair.

“Aubrey.”

She stopped at the door.

His face softened in a way that made him look almost grandfatherly.

“You handled yourself well yesterday,” he said. “In that sheriff’s office. Most people would have run from a room like that.”

“I wanted to.”

“But you didn’t.”

His gaze moved over her face with quiet approval.