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John and I exchanged looks. We both knew we’d have it out at the house.
I dreaded the scene, but it was time.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
I had an out-of-body moment as I entered the family room, a perfect suburban tableau gone horribly wrong. Crystal lamps twinkled and end tables shone, but my parents looked grim, flanking a cold fireplace in red-striped wing chairs. A mantelpiece lined with framed photographs of them with Monsignor Harris, Bishop Agence, and other power Catholics overlooked a teary Gabby and Martin on the couch. John was standing, and he turned when I started talking, bursting with the speech I’d rehearsed on the way over.
“Everybody,” I began, “I know there’s a lot you don’t understand. It’s time to explain.”
“Agree.” John nodded. “TJ, you go ahead, and I’ll footnote.”
“Yes, go ahead, TJ.” My father stood up. “Who’s this Rigel and why were you chasing him?”
I braced myself. “It started the night of your birthday, Dad. John was doing due diligence on Runstan for the acquisition and he caught Lemaire embezzling—”
“Wait, what?” My father’s eyes flew open. “The accountant? He wasembezzling?”
“Yes,” I answered.
“John?” My father whipped around to my brother. “Why didn’t you tell me? I had a right to know. Runstan’s my client.”
John blinked. “Dad, I have no idea what TJ’s talking about.”
“John?” I couldn’t believe my ears. My chest tightened. “You told me so. You thought you killed Lemaire.”
My father gasped. “Killedhim?”
My mother’s eyes filmed. Gabby grimaced, and Martin recoiled.
“TJ, what are you talking about?” John met my gaze, preternaturally calm. “You’re drinking again. You need to get back to rehab.”
No, no, no.“Don’t you dare, John.” My face went hot. I couldn’t process what was happening. “You just defended me. You can’t do an about-face this fast. You told me Lemaire pulled a gun on you—”
“TJ, face it.” John glared at me. “You’re drinking again and getting mixed up with your old—”
“No!” I launched myself at John, tackling him. He fell backward, and I leapt on top of him, grabbed his tie, and punched him in the face. He grunted, trying to buck me off. I cocked my arm but my father caught one arm and Martin the other. They hoisted me to my feet and dragged me backward.
John scrambled away. “TJ, you’re a mess!”
“TJ, out!” My father started walking me out of the room, with Martin behind him.
“Dad, you have to believe me! I’m telling the truth!”
“No more, TJ.” My father’s skin mottled with emotion. “We’re not taking any more of this. You’re killing your mother,killingher.”
“Dad, wait!” I raised my hands. “Call Stan right now! He’ll tell you. There’s money missing. Ask him!”
“Are you insane?” My father faced me in the entrance hall. “I’ll do no such thing.”
John got up, brushing himself off. “Dad, don’t. You’ll embarrass yourself and me.”
“Dad, if you don’t call Stan, I will—”
“Enough!” Gabby came over. “Get a grip, all of you. Let’s see if TJ’s telling the truth. Dad, call Stan. Put him on speaker.”
My father turned, aghast. “Gabby, TJ’s drinking. You can’t believe anything he says.”
“Call Stan, please.” Gabby set her jaw. “Dad?”
