“Brandon.” It took several moments before Brandon focused back on him. “Come back and sit down, and I’ll tell you why I said what I did. I know what I’m talking about.”
After grabbing everyone’s attention with that statement, Tash opened the folder with the newspaper reports. “It says here that Munson was found dead on April 25.” He adjusted his glasses to read the tiny print. Damn, he might need to adjust his prescription. Tash cleared his throat, then began reading again. “You, Brandon, told us the fight occurred on the twenty-second. That’s a full three days earlier. Forensic science may not be perfect, but we can narrow the times of death to a close proximity.”
On raising his gaze from the papers in his hand, he focused on Brandon, only to see the confusion in the man’s face. It was obvious to Tash that Brandon hadn’t yet understood the significance of the dates. “Sweetheart. Too many days elapsed between when you say you hit and killed him, to the date they said he died. In my opinion, something or someone else caused his death.”
Before he finished speaking, Brandon was shaking his head. “No. That’s not true. They must’ve been off with their dates. Either that or you’re simply trying to be kind to me and cover up.”
“Don’t be foolish.” Ash scowled at Brandon across the table. “What’s the harm in exploring Tash’s theory? The man’s a doctor; I think he knows better than you how to read a medical report.”
Brandon flushed but held his ground. “It was still cool in the evenings there. The body probably lay in the chill. Or something.” His voice grew slightly desperate. “You want me to be innocent, so you’ll see what you hope to be true, but I know what happened that afternoon.”
Tash understood Brandon’s hesitancy. After living so many years under a cloud of fear and hiding, it must be a shock to be sprung from the darkness into the light. Fixing his most reassuring smile firmly in place, Tash spoke directly to Brandon, who, from his flushed face and tight fists, looked to be on the verge of a breakdown.
“Calm down. What I’m saying is this. The dates don’t seem to coincide. But I agree more research and investigation needs to be done.” He turned to Ash. “Why don’t we arrange a visit to Pennsylvania, and we can look at the medical records? Surely, Ash, as Brandon’s lawyer you have the right to view them?”
Ash grimaced. “I’m not admitted to the bar in Pennsylvania, so I couldn’t represent him unless I made a motion to the court to let me appear. We’d ultimately have to hire someone.”
The wheels were turning in the man’s mind, Tash could see. His fingers drummed on the table. “I’d hate to go to the authorities, raise suspicions about an old murder investigation, and then back off. There’s nothing the police like more than a fresh lead on a cold case.”
“So I’m screwed. And I’m dragging you all into a murder investigation for no reason.” Brandon turned his back on everyone at the table.
“We have every reason. You’re our brother.” But the worry in Ash’s eyes told a different story, Tash saw. For the first time Ash didn’t seem as in control and sure of himself.
Tash couldn’t stand to see the defeat in Brandon’s eyes. He needed to hold Brandon almost as much for himself as for Brandon’s sake, and didn’t give a damn what Ash and Luke thought. Without a word, he walked around the conference table and put his arms around his lover. They stood for a moment, holding on to one another, drawing a sense of peace from each other’s arms. If only Brandon could believe everything would turn out all right. Strength flooded through Tash, remembering the vow he’d made to himself. He wouldn’t fail this time. He would help Brandon.
“I won’t drag you and all your families into my problems.” To Tash’s dismay, Brandon pulled away from him to stand alone. “Even you, Tash. You can’t fight my battles for me. Maybe the right thing to do is go back to Pennsylvania, turn myself in, and hope for the best.”
Pride warred with fear in Tash’s chest. He remembered what Brandon had said when the two of them met, and it didn’t make sense until now. Brandon Gilbert was no ordinary twenty-five-year-old. He had more maturity than some men twice his age.
“I don’t think any decision has to be made this moment. Why don’t we have dinner and sleep on it?” Ash checked his watch. “Drew is finishing up right now, and we can all go together.”
Before Brandon could answer, Tash decided to speak for the both of them. He wanted to spend time alone with Brandon and let him know how much he loved him and would be there for him, no matter what. “Thanks for the invitation, but I think we’d like to spend a quiet evening together. Maybe talk things out?” He looked to Brandon for confirmation and was gratified to see an answering smile.
“Yeah, sorry, Ash. Can we take a rain check?” He reached down and squeezed Tash’s hand, and Tash gave him an answering squeeze. “I’m kind of wiped and wouldn’t be the best company anyway.”
Understanding gleamed in Ash’s silvery eyes. “Yeah, of course.”
Tash caught the tail end of an annoyed expression on Luke’s face. Though Luke hadn’t discussed that blowup about Tash and Brandon dating, Tash knew Luke still harbored a lingering resentment. One thing Tash knew was not to let problems in a family fester and grow out of hand.
“Something wrong, Luke?”
“Yeah. I’d like to see Brandon more, but he’s always with you. I think the least you could do is let him have some time with us. It took years to find him, but since we discovered who he is, we haven’t spent more than a few days together.” Luke glowered at him.
While Tash was willing to make some concessions to Brandon’s brothers, he wasn’t about to be treated as a scapegoat for the lack of time they spent with him. Brandon had the right to choose who he wanted to be with, and Ash didn’t seem to have a problem with it. Only Luke, right from the start, had issues with the relationship.
“What’s the problem, Luke?” Brandon braced his hands on the table. “Don’t tell me you still have a problem with Tash and me?”
“You’ve only known each other a short time and already Tash is the one making decisions with you about the rest of your life. I think you’re moving too fast.”
“What bothers you so much about it? I’m not cutting you and Ash out of my life; I’m making my own choices, finding my way.”
Luke couldn’t face Brandon and spoke to the floor. “You used to look up to me, ask me for help when you had a problem.”
Tash stood silent, watching the family drama unfold before him. While Ash had easily accepted the transition of Brandon back into his life, Luke seemed to be having a harder time of it. Perhaps it was the extra years spent looking after Brandon as a young boy that had Luke believing he needed to remain Brandon’s protector.
But Brandon was his own man. “I told you before I’m no longer a child. If we haven’t spent time with each other, I’m sorry. I promise to make more of an effort. But I’m not making apologies for being with Tash. He’s the best thing to ever happen to me.”
Their eyes met, and Tash found it hard to swallow. Damn, he loved this guy so much. To have come out of his torpor and sorrow to discover the joy of loving a man like Brandon was an unexpected gift. Was it only a month ago he’d told Valerie he was better off alone? A flush swept through his body remembering how he’d woken up this morning, wrapped around the naked, pliant body of this man standing before him. He could never go back to that frozen, lonely life of only a few months ago.
