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My father tilted his head, catching my eye. He wore his ever-present stone-like expression. Why was he here? And with this jackass? Maybe they were working together and Koker had given him a heart attack too.
I had no proof Koker was responsible for the others beside the fingerprints. But I was damn sure he’d set Pepper and Miss Adeline’s apartment on fire.
My father flashed his version of triumph as I drew back my fist.
“Are you sure you want to decimate your uncle?”
Chapter Forty-Six
Pepper
Teague’s arm went limp.
“What the hell are you talking about?” Beau planted a hand on her hip. She hardly spared a glance to the man on the ground. Her focus was lasered on her father.
Not only was I stunned that Teague’s boss was his uncle but also that their father would air their personal business in such a public way.
Lincoln remained quiet.
Teague stared at the man under his boot as if he’d never seen him before.
How many more blows did he have to take? He’d been through enough. We were finding our peace and starting a new path. He deserved some happiness.
“Food and cute dogs this way.” Vivian steered the crowd like a professional herder until the only people left besides Miss Adeline and me were Hollingsworths.
“Impossible. You’re an only child and Mom’s brother never came back from boarding school,” Teague said.
“And he’s returned,” his father said smoothly.
“You knew all along.”
Samuel Hollingsworth put his hands in his pockets. “Not until the fires started. It took me a lot of years to discover his true identity.”
“Talk faster.” Teague glared at his father’s casual stance.
“I never met Morgan. I only knew what your mother told me about him, which wasn’t much.” He flicked his gaze toward the man on the ground. “He always had a penchant for fire. He burned your grandparents’ home to the ground when he was twelve.”
“No one ever proved that,” Koker wheezed.
“Be quiet, Morgan.” A flash of annoyance colored his father’s face. “They shipped him to military school, hoping to discipline him.” He waved his hand in disgust. “Obviously a waste of time and effort.”
“Mom’s maiden name wasn’t Koker,” Beau said.
“The rash of fires went from California to Florida and in between as your grandparents’ shuffled him from school to school. Eventually, they had to give him a new identity.”
Teague’s foot remained on his uncle’s chest. “Why isn’t he in jail?”
“It’s no secret your mother’s family was worth a fortune. If you’re willing to pay, anything can go away.” His father lifted a brow.
“How are you involved with him?” Teague balled his fist.
Lincoln noticed but remained silent.
“He has . . . financial difficulties. You know better than I do what a meager wage a fireman makes.” The dig seemed to bounce off Teague. “I want you out of that job. For a price, he was willing to ensure that happened.”
“He’s been my supervisor for years,” Teague said.
His father sighed. “Apparently, the chief is willing to overlook your transgressions and isn’t so easily bought.”
