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“Because, like I said, you’re a smart girl.”
“And Frederick didn’t approve?”
“Let’s just say he wasn’t a big fan of living on the edge. Then again, he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. He answered to my grandfather. That couldn’t have been fun.”
“Especially if your methods were more successful than his.” Devon processed that and continued. “Was your grandfather upset by the way you went about doing things?”
“He was happy as a clam. I won over the accounts. That trumped all else. And if you’re asking if Grandfather would blast Frederick if he was pissed off at me, the answer is no. My grandfather’s not a subtle guy. If he was pissed at me, he’d call me in and read me the riot act—right to my face.”
“Where did Philip Rhodes fit in? He must have been caught in the middle.”
“Not really. Philip liked seeing profits rise. Plus, he was tight with my grandfather. So things were copacetic.”
“It sounds as if your uncle was a hard guy to get along with. Were any of the accounts put off by him?”
One brow rose. “Back to interrogating?”
“Fishing is more like it. If you could think of anyone who had an ax to grind with Frederick…”
“I would have given his name to the cops,” James finished. “They have a complete list of family, friends, and business associates, along with notes about their specific relationships with Frederick.”
“I guess.” Devon lowered her gaze.
“Devon.” James’s grip on her hand tightened. “I know you’re eager to have your mother home. But the cops will figure this out. Unless your father beats them to it.” A pause. “You did know he was working at Pierson, didn’t you?”
Devon had to give him credit. He’d turned the tables in a hurry. Now it wa
s his turn to test her.
She nodded. “Yes, I knew. I was Monty’s ride up to the farm yesterday. He was in there too long just to be rehashing what your grandfather already knew. So I quizzed him about the meeting on our drive home. All I got out of him was that he’d taken a security job at Pierson & Company. No surprise that he wouldn’t elaborate. He never discusses his cases. But given the circumstances, I’d have to be an idiot not to figure it out.”
“You’re no idiot. Then again, neither is your father. We spoke for a chunk of time this morning. He’s a sharp guy.”
“I know. I’m glad he’s working this case—not only for your family’s sake, but for mine. We’re worried sick about our mother.”
“I met your sister, Meredith, when I picked you up. Any other siblings?”
“An older brother, Lane. He’s thirty-two. Merry’s almost twenty-one. We’re all holding on to one another to get through this.”
“What about your father? Does he factor into this family support system?”
My, James was interested in Monty. “Not really,” she stated flatly.
“So you’re not close with him?”
“No one’s close with Monty. His work is his life. Always was. Always will be. In this situation, that’s good. He’ll find your uncle’s killer. You’ll have closure. And we’ll have my mother back. In the meantime, I can’t stop myself from asking questions. It’s all I can do—and I have to do something.”
James studied her for a long moment. Then he brought her fingers to his lips. “You’re a fascinating package. Independent and self-assured one minute, sensitive and vulnerable the next. The most intriguing woman I’ve met in a long time.”
Devon wondered how many women had heard that particular speech.
“I sound like a Tootsie Pop,” she responded drily. “Hard on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside.”
At first, James looked startled. Then he began to laugh. “Ouch. I think my ego just took a hit. Add ‘painfully honest’ to that list of qualities.”
“Sorry.” She mustered a wry grin. “That comes from years of eavesdropping on my brother’s conversations. He’s got a dozen seduction speeches down pat.”
“And that sounded like one of them?” James gave a self-deprecating shake of his head. “I’d better work on my technique, then. The last thing I need is to be figured out.”
