Page 109 of Mercy & Malice

“I stopped by the hospital. There’s no change in your father’s condition.”

Again. I remain unreactive and quiet.

“Brooke just so happened to be at the basketball game shaking her pom-poms the night of his stroke. Her momma was there too. Where were you?”

“At the game,” I reply.

He seems shocked I answered but quickly recovers. “And I’m sure you have plenty who can vouch for you.”

“Yes.” Thanks to Luca who attended pretending to be me while I stayed behind at Ivy’s house as if I were him. We’d changed into the other’s clothes, and he drove my car to campus. It was an easy walk to slip inside my house then get back to Ivy’s until Luca arrived from the game. Another clothing swap and then I met Brooke when the bus arrived at Belgrave. It’s the first time we’ve ever agreed to switch places. Very few have ever been able to tell us apart. And we used it to our benefit. I wanted to be there when our father met his demise, and Luca understood. But we both needed an alibi. Even if it’s not an airtight one.

“Why are you asking my whereabouts?”

He smacks his lips before he waves around. “You all have stories and excuses for everything. But I know there is something y’all are hiding.”

Lots. “What do you mean by that?” I want him to explain and see exactly what he knows. Which I figure isn’t much. Because if he had something solid, he wouldn’t be sitting across the table from me at Belgrave. I’d be at the police station.

“Exactly what I said: there’s something going on around here. I just can’t put my finger on it. But I guarantee you I will figure it out. Then you’ll wish this conversation went differently and you were upfront with me when I’m willing to help you out.”

“I’m still unclear what you’re referring to.” This bastard is a joke. He doesn’t want to help anyone. I’m not even sure he wants to help himself. “I’ve provided you with the information I have, and I don’t have anything further I can assist you with.”

“So, let me guess—you’re going to hide behind your big-shot lawyer just like your girlfriend.”

Luca mentioned it, and I was beyond grateful he was there to defend her after this motherfucker insinuated that she faked her own kidnapping for attention. After the hell she went through, this man wants to diminish her pain and make it a goddamn joke? Fuck no. And thanks to my father, I know mind games is the best and only play.

Ledet is aware that his suspicions are correct. He can feel it in his bones, put the puzzle together in his head, but still feels crazy when he looks at the facts on paper. He can keep spinning his wheels until they fall off.

“I’m not hiding. I’m right here. Your accusations and wild theories just aren’t worth my time.”

The vein in his head bulges out a little more as he stands, slamming his fists against the table. “You little rich bastards are all the same. You think you can get away with murder, but I have bad news for your pampered ass. You’re in my crosshairs now.”

He’s already spiraling. It takes everything I have not to let the smile rise on my face.

There’s a knock on the door before it swings open and Tara walks in. “Is everything all right in here?”

Ledet yanks the lapels of his jacket as he walks past her and states, “Yes,” on his way out the door.

She waits until he’s out of sight before she asks me, “Are you okay? I could hear him yelling from my office.”

“Yes.” I stay seated in the chair as she sits down across from me.

“He asked me where you were the night of your father’s accident. I saw you at the game. Why would he ask that?”

“He’s grasping at straws. Plus, he seems to have a personal vendetta against us, quote, unquote, ‘pampered-ass rich bastards.’”

Tara says, “Yes, I sensed that. But he shouldn’t have treated you like that. It is concerning that Julian and Blaine haven’t been located yet, and I’m sure he’s frustrated, but he needn’t take it out on you.”

“They’re moving my father to a long-term care facility in the next few weeks. In the meantime, our estate manager should be contacting you. Luca and I decided it’s best for you to remain in the house if you’d like to. We’ll have the deed transferred to you also and all the expenses will still be taken care of.”

Her hand moves to her mouth, covering her gasp. “No, I can’t let you do that. I’ll make other arrangements. It’s your father’s house. Your and Luca’s childhood home.”

“Our grandfather left us the house. But it’s never felt like home to me. And Luca feels the same way. We both believe it’s what our father would want too. He intended to make you at home there with him.” At least that’s what we want her to think. The man was selfish and cruel, but Tara doesn’t need to be made aware of it since she’s free of him.

“I don’t know what to say.”

“The estate manager will maintain the property, but you can make whatever changes you’d like or sell if you want. Just let us know what you decide.”

“Micah, it’s too much.”