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“I don’t know anything, really. My father was very secretive about his work. He always said he didn’t want to do anything that could jeopardize his company or the interests of the investors. Honestly, it didn’t interest me at all.”
“Did you ever meet any of his business associates?” asked Gaspar.
“I’m sure that I did,” she said, rubbing her temples. “My parents were known for throwing lavish parties, very Great Gatsby like. They would last for days sometimes.”
“Were you at the house during those parties?” asked Bull.
“Rarely. When I was little, we had a nanny that kept us in the nursery most of the time. As we got older, the nanny would take us into the city for the weekend. We would get to stay at the Plaza or the Ritz, have tea at the Russian Room, and go shopping for anything we wanted. It was all a bribe to keep us away, but my older siblings seemed to enjoy it. After they left the house, I was away at school, so I wasn’t there during the parties.”
“Ask her about her parents’ finances,”signed Keith as they walked through the door.
“Gail, this is Keith. As you can see, he’s deaf but communicates with sign language. He can also read lips.” She nodded, smiling at him and JB. “He asked if you know anything about your parents’ finances.”
“No. Nothing. They paid for my education at NYU, paid for my apartment in New York City, but I’d just gotten a job and was earning my own money. I made it clear I wanted to make it on my own.”
“Why?” asked Rafe. “I mean, most young women would take that and run with it. Just bank their paycheck and live off Mom and Dad.”
“Living off Mom and Dad requires certain conditions,” she said. “One of those was dating who my mother wanted when she wanted. For the most part, I’ve been able to avoid that.”
“But you didn’t this time. Why?” asked Tobias.
“It was my father that asked me,” she sniffed. “He never asked anything of me. Usually, he was the one trying to keep the peace between me and my mother.”
“Was there anything unusual at the house when she arrived?”Tobias repeated the question for her.
“The house seemed fine, but not to the standard that my mother had. Usually, it was pristine, everything in its place. For some reason, it felt, I don’t know. Out of sorts. The pool was disgusting, and she would have never allowed that. Dad said they were getting it fixed, but it didn’t make any sense.”
“Where were your siblings?” asked Bull.
“My brother and his family were at their home further down the beach,” she said. “Should I call them?”
“They weren’t there,” said JB. “We looked for them, but the house was locked up tight.”
“That can’t be,” she whispered. “What about my folks?”
“No one was in the house. No one. There wasn’t even any food in the refrigerator. When did they decide to sell?”
“Sell?”
“Yea. There was a ‘for sale’ sign in the front yard.”
“I-I don’t know. I-I don’t understand,” she said, shaking her head.
“Okay, that’s enough for now,” said Tobias. “Let’s get you back to bed. I’ll bring you some dinner in a little while.” She nodded as he stood, helping her back to the bedroom, the eyes of his friends and family boring into his back. He lay her back on her pillows, pulling the blankets up to her chin.
“Good?” he asked.
“I’m good,” she smiled. “Tobias? Thank you for answering my call. I don’t know who else I would have called.”
“Then I was the right person,” he smiled. “Get some rest, and I’ll come back in with food in just a bit.” She nodded, closing her eyes as he kissed her forehead. He wasn’t sure why he’d done it, but he needed to. It was bruised with cuts and scrapes, but her flesh was warm and soft.
Stepping back into the living area, he stared at everyone, shaking his head.
“What in God’s name is happening here?”
CHAPTER SEVEN
The penthouse apartment had four bedrooms, so the men were able to sleep comfortably with only a few on the sofas. Tobias refused to leave Gail alone, sleeping on the floor beside the bed.
