Detectives and Dilemmas by Winnie Reed

Author:Winnie Reed [Reed, Winne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: WinReed

Chapter Fourteen

“How are you feeling?” I hugged Holly on entering the house she shared with my dad. It was a little more awkward than usual, that hug, since she was six months into her pregnancy and everybody who had the guts—or lack of awareness—to comment on her progress swore she had to be carrying twins.

“Great!” she beamed. She looked it, too, full of energy, smiling from ear to ear as we walked through the newly redecorated living room. The woman had been busy, declaring there were too many sharp corners, too many heavy things hanging on the walls. What if something fell on the baby?

Dad had indulged her, probably because he knew he had no choice but to step aside and let her do as she saw best. No amount of reminding her how Darcy and I turned out just fine even with nothing more than plastic protectors in the wall sockets would convince her not to revamp the entire home for the baby.

This was her first, as she reminded him and anybody else who asked. That seemed to silence any questions and criticism.

My father was in the middle of basting a roast chicken when we entered the room. “I’ve always heard basting doesn’t do much in the long run,” I mused, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

“Listen, young lady. There are certain things I refuse to back down on, and this is one of them. Bury me with my baster.” He gazed lovingly at the plastic tube with its rubber bulb.

“Wow. I don’t think you’ve ever looked at me that way,” Holly chuckled. “Even though I’m starting to look like it.” She rubbed her hands over her bulging belly.

Dad gave me an appraising look. “Any trouble today?”

“Can we not start with this when I’ve barely had time to wash my hands?” I asked with a sigh. “No. There hasn’t been any trouble.” Granted, there might’ve been if Deke hadn’t pulled me away from Luke when he did. I might’ve asked more pointed questions.

Such as whether Luke hated Stephen enough to want him dead. Though I doubted I needed to ask.

I turned to Holly. “Let me ask you something. Have you ever watched a business partnership fall apart? I mean, really implode?”

“Sure. You don’t spend years in business without seeing that happen.”

“And it stirs up bad feelings, doesn’t it?”

“Putting it mildly,” she smiled. “People tend to lose their mind when it comes to business. Because business is never only business, you know what I mean? It’s always personal. Especially when it’s your business, something you’ve built for yourself. It’s like your child.” Her hand wandered to her belly, resting on top of it. An unconscious move, I imagined.

“What’s this all about?” Dad asked.

“I’m having a discussion,” I replied, shrugging. “I was curious.”

“No offense, daughter of mine, but tell me another good one. I don’t believe it.”

Holly clicked her tongue and wagged her finger, disapproving. “You’re too hard on her. I always say you’re too hard on her.”

“Thank you.” I sniffed, giving Dad a smug look.

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