“Does it matter?” Fred asked.
“Yes,” Tamsyn said.
“If you must know, Anna did. But I was there.” Fred held her gaze. “Your mother wanted to back out of our deal. She didn’t like hurting Carter and Weezer. She no longer believed we’d follow through with our end of the bargain.”
“Which was what, exactly?” Tamsyn couldn’t imagine what had been going through her mother’s mind, but whatever it was, her mom had been a victim. She’d been taken advantage of by people who didn’t care about anything but keeping their secrets.
“We had promised her security. Financial freedom,” Fred said. “A ticket out of town.”
“That’s why she emptied her bank accounts,” Tamsyn whispered.
“She was supposed to take you and leave town, but she changed her mind and she was going to tell everyone what she did. I couldn’t let that happen,” Anna said. “It would have destroyed Fred’s good name.”
“You’re both crazy,” Tamsyn said. “You’re not going to get away with this.”
“I already have,” Fred said.
“Earlier, you mentioned I was smart. That I wouldn’t have told Weezer and Carter. Well, you’re right. I am smart, which is why I’ve told them everything. And I mean, everything,” Tamsyn said.
“I don’t believe you.” Fred held his weapon steady. “And this conversation is over.”
Noir
“Why are you all still standing here? We need to get out there. Let’s go!” Noir raced into the labeling room. He’d just been there ten minutes ago.
“Calm down, son,” his father said.
“The fuck I will. Not after that text you just sent. And why the hell wouldn’t you send it to the regular family group message? The one that includes Tamsyn. If she’s in trouble, she should know—”
“Because if Fred’s smart, he’ll take her phone, and then he’ll know what we’re up to.” His dad squeezed his shoulder.
Eddy strolled through the door with two officers. “Carter, you’re going to have to let us do this.”
“You can do the cop part. But my family is going with you whether you like it or not.” His dad folded his arms across his chest, daring Eddy to challenge him.
“I can’t have the entire clan out there, especially him.” Eddy pointed to Noir.
“Oh, he’s going,” his dad said. “So am I. Malbec, Nebbiolo, and Merlot as well.”
“We’re wasting time.” Merlot handed Noir a gun. “And before you say one word, these are all mine. All registered to me. No one is going to use them unless we need to. We’ll let you go first, but we all consider Tamsyn family and I don’t think I have to tell you what that means to us.”
Eddy ran a hand across his face. “No, Merlot. You don’t. But please don’t make me arrest any of you.”
“We’ll try not to.” Noir took the gun his brother handed him. Of all the kids in the family, Noir was the least likely to use a firearm. He’d grown up with weapons. He was a decent shot. He wasn’t opposed to them, but because of his mother and her reputation, he’d always opted not to own one, unlike the rest of his family, right down to Zinny. He pulled up his cell. “According to the location of her phone, she’s somewhere in the middle of the vineyard.”
His dad leaned in. “That looks like it could be the overflow building.”
“I think it’s time to tear that fucking place down and build a new one,” his mother muttered. “Too many secrets were buried there. Too much pain.”
“I couldn’t agree with you more.” His dad kissed his mom’s cheek. “You stay here. I’ll let you know when it’s all over.”
“You all better be safe out there, and bring that precious girl home.” His mom took his hands. “Don’t let your emotions get the better of you. Be levelheaded. Whatever Fred and Anna were thinking, they’re two people with everything to lose. That makes them especially dangerous. Tamsyn is smart. I’m sure she’s holding her own.”
“I hope you’re right, Mom.” Noir tucked the weapon into his pocket. He followed his father, brothers, Eddy, and two officers out the back door.
“I have an idea,” Eddy said, waving his cell.
“What’s that?” Noir asked.
