Chương 11 - My Brother Walked In
Grant's footsteps moved through the foyer.
“Evie?”
Ethan reached for his phone.
Evelyn shook her head.
“No police yet.”
He stared at her. “That's a terrible idea.”
“I need him to talk.”
“Men who steal millions and possibly cover up murder are not famous for honest conversations.”
“Then stay close.”
She went downstairs.
Grant stood beneath the foyer chandelier wearing jeans and a navy coat, his hair still wet from the rain.
He smiled when he saw her.
“There you are. What happened last night? Aunt Miriam said the gala turned into a circus.”
Evelyn looked at him for a long moment.
Same gray eyes as hers.
Same dimple in the left cheek.
She had never noticed how much.
“Where is your mother?” she asked.
His smile faded. “Why?”
“Answer me.”
“At home, I think.”
“You think?”
He looked past her and saw Ethan on the stairs.
“What is this?”
Evelyn held up the old photograph.
Grant's face changed.
Only slightly.
But enough.
“You've seen this before.”
“No.”
“You're lying.”
“Evie—”
“Was Daniel my father?”
Grant went silent.
That silence hurt more than any answer.
Evelyn stepped closer.
“How long have you known?”
“Two years.”
The room seemed to shrink.
“Two years?”
“My mother told me when Dad's old medical files surfaced during an insurance dispute.”
“And you never told me.”
“What was I supposed to say? Hey, cousin, surprise, you're actually my half-sister?”
“Yes!”
Grant flinched.
Evelyn's eyes burned. “You sat beside me at my father's funeral knowing Richard wasn't my biological father.”
“He was your father.”
“Don't use that to excuse yourself.”
Grant looked at Ethan. “Did he tell you about the money?”
Evelyn crossed her arms. “Tell me yourself.”
Grant's jaw tightened.
“My mother believed Richard stole everything from us.”
“Did you?”
“At first.”
“So you stole from the foundation.”
“I moved money.”
“That's stealing.”
“It was supposed to be temporary.”
“Two point seven million dollars is a long temporary.”
Grant looked exhausted. “You don't understand what Harbor was involved in.”
“Then explain it.”
He looked toward the windows.
“Halston wasn't just laundering charity money. They were paying public officials. Judges. Inspectors. Police.”
Evelyn thought of Officer Daniels.
“Your mother was part of it?”
Grant nodded once.
“And Dad?”
Grant looked at her.
“I didn't kill Richard.”
“I didn't ask that.”
“You were going to.”
Evelyn's voice shook. “Did your mother?”
Grant looked away.
That was worse than yes.
Then a red dot appeared on his chest.
Ethan saw it first.
May you like
“Down!”
He tackled Evelyn as the front window exploded.
