So Dark the Night by Daley Margaret

Author:Daley, Margaret [Daley, Margaret]
Language: eng
Format: mobi
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises
Published: 2009-09-01T16:00:00+00:00

EIGHT

Drained both physically and emotionally, Emma laid her head on the back cushion of the couch in the den and stared up at the ceiling, not caring at the moment that all she saw was darkness. How could her brother have so many enemies? It was as though their father had infected him with his ruthlessness. For the first time she really appreciated the fact that she had been raised by her mother.

“Are you all right?” Colin asked, his deep, reassuring voice penetrating her thoughts.

Emma straightened on the couch. “I’m fi—” she stopped, deciding she couldn’t pretend she was okay. “No, I’m not all right. It isn’t every day a person discovers what her brother was really like.”

Colin sat next to her, taking her hand within his. “No one is perfect. Your brother had his strengths and weaknesses as we all do. What you’ve discovered these past few days doesn’t change that he loved you very much and was good to you and for you. That can’t be taken away.”

“But look at the lives he ruined. Jerry’s wife tried to commit suicide because of Derek.”

“I suspect there’s more to that story. Usually one incident doesn’t drive a person to suicide. There are other circumstances involved. Probably ones your brother had nothing to do with.”

“Still, the glimpses I’ve seen of Derek don’t fit my picture of him.”

“And you want that picture back?”

“Yes. Desperately.”

His hand about hers tightened. “Focus on Derek’s good. He obviously didn’t like what was happening to him or he wouldn’t have quit working for your father.”

“But there could be irregularities at the company he started with Marcus?”

“We don’t know that for sure. And even if there are, did your brother know about them? What if his partner is crooked?”

“What if Derek found out?”

“That could be a motive for murder.”

Emma trembled. Another person who could have wanted her brother dead. The list just gets longer and I don’t even know if we have everyone on it. “What time is it? I heard Grace go upstairs a while ago.”

“You did? You’re getting quite good at hearing things most of us tune out. It’s ten-thirty. I’d better call it a night. Got a long day tomorrow.”

Emma wasn’t sure she would be able to sleep, but she wouldn’t keep Colin up. She rose, stretching her cramped muscles from sitting so long on the couch. “Will you walk me to my room?”

“Why, it would be my pleasure.”

She settled her hand on his arm right above his elbow. “Lead the way. If I did, I’m so tired that I’d probably run us into a wall.”

“How’s getting around the house going?” Colin guided her around the coffee table then toward the door that led to the hallway.

“Good thing I can’t see my legs. They have to be black-and-blue. But today I only ran into one piece of furniture. Much better than yesterday.”

At the door to her bedroom, Colin paused. “I like your attitude.”

“I finally decided self-pity wouldn’t help me. Besides, Grace wouldn’t let me feel sorry for myself.

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