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“I was under the impression you had a different opinion of Dav—I mean, Dr. Kolsby.”
“While my firm was hired by the nurse who took care of Dr. Kolsby after the car accident, we only seek the facts concerning the matter at hand,” Brook stated truthfully. She’d chosen her words carefully. “My colleague was the one who located the four women’s remains, and that part of the investigation points into another direction.”
By this point, Peg had taken Brook’s dress coat and was gripping the fabric in relief. This woman might have been employed by the Kolsbys for many years, but she didn’t see herself as part of the staff. It was also evident that she viewed Dr. Kolsby through rose-colored glasses.
“I heard on the news that Dr. Cranston was being questioned.” Peg seemed to be willing to talk more now that she didn’t view Brook as the enemy. “I can’t say that such a turn of events is surprising. I never cared for that man.”
Peg opened the large front closet and proceeded to store Brook’s dress coat inside on a wooden hanger. She then closed the door and turned back around as she gestured toward the den.
“Did Dr. Cranston stop by the house often?” Brook inquired, keeping her tone light. She fell into step with Peg as they advanced across the marble tile of the grand foyer. “It’s my understanding that he is close friends with Dr. Kolsby.”
“You must be referring to Devin Cranston. He and Brett are close friends, although I’m not fond of that young man, either.” Peg came to a stop outside of the door to the den to face Brook. “What is it that you would like to know, Ms. Sloane?”
Peg was very astute, and Brook respected the woman for calling out such an obvious attempt at gathering facts.
“You’ve made your opinion of Dr. Kolsby known, but what about the rest of his family and friends? Stephen Averill? What about the Cranstons?” Brook asked bluntly, getting right to the heart of the matter. “I believe the ICU nurse is telling the truth about what she heard while taking care of Dr. Kolsby. I also believe that his confession can be explained away, because being privy to such horrific details can weigh on one’s conscious. Is there a chance that Dr. Kolsby could be protecting a patient or a close personal acquaintance?”
“Dr. Kolsby would never do such a thing,” Peg disclosed with a bit of hesitation. She wasn’t confident in her answer, but she clearly wanted to be. She laced her fingers in front of herself as she provided Brook with much-needed information. “Brett is our peacemaker. He has good intentions, although he doesn’t always make the wisest of decisions due to his reliance on his emotions. Nolan, on the hand, could care less about anyone but himself. He’s selfish and somewhat entitled. Catherine was our wild child until she met Stephen during her first year of college. It was then that she began to take her life seriously and not view her father as an endless pot of gold. She’s come a long way, and we are proud of the life that she’s built for herself.”
“And the Cranstons?”
“Dr. Cranston has an inflated ego that has nothing to do with money. The root of which comes solely from his skill as a surgeon and his belief that he is a beautiful man.”
“I’m sorry?” Brook hadn’t expected Peg to go in that direction. “His appearance?”
“He loves women, and the women adore him,” Peg explained with a ting of disgust. “Every time that Dr. Kolsby would host a dinner event or a party, he would inevitably get into an argument later that night with one of his wives regarding their blatant, flirtatious behavior with Dr. Cranston.”
“And Dr. Kolsby didn’t take issue with his colleague?”
“No.” Peg coughed discreetly before continuing. “I’m aware that I shouldn’t air the dirty laundry of the Kolsbys, but if it means that Dav—the good doctor can conserve his energy for his upcoming chemotherapy treatments, then so be it. Someone has to watch out for his best interests.”
The dig that Peg had just given was toward Dr. Kolsby’s‘ children.
While Brook would have loved to hear more, the door to the den flung open.
“…believe what you want,” Nolan exclaimed in anger. He’d been looking over his shoulder, so he hadn’t realized that Peg and Brook were standing right in front of him. He came to an abrupt halt. His facial features were twisted in anger, and it was clear that he didn’t care who heard his parting line. “If you believe that, Dad, go ahead and have them arrest me.”
It wasn’t long before the front door of the house slammed shut.
Peg cleared her throat once more before calling out to Dr. Kolsby.
“Ms. Sloane is here to see you.”
“Send her in, Peg,” Dr. Kolsby called out from his chair near the elegant fireplace. “Would you please be a dear and bring us some fresh coffee?”
“Of course, sir.”
Brook stepped into the den. The warmth from the fire was a nice touch, but she instantly chilled when she caught the hardened stare of Dr. Kolsby.
“I apologize for my son’s behavior. These past few weeks have been hard for the family.”
“No apologies necessary.”
Brook had expected Brett, Catherine, and Stephen to be in attendance. They’d been adamant about how Brook should conduct this meeting, and they had even expressed their need to limit what could be asked during this interview.
Of course, Brook had made no such promises.
The lack of attendance by his children gave more credence to the fact that they no longer believed the police were interested in their father. Brook believed that their absence had more to do with their father’s directions than beliefs.
