Sara laughed. “You deserved that. We want to hear what happened after we left last night.”
“Nothing,” Jack said. “Guys from the county came and I told them Cheryl’s name. I gave them the necklace and said I’d given it to her. I told them about knowing her when I was a kid and that we were friends. I thought those were all the facts they needed to know.”
“Nothing about Roy?” Sara asked.
“I didn’t see any reason to bring him into it.”
“Roy might have—” Sara began but then stopped.
“I know,” he said sharply. “No, I didn’t tell them that they’ll probably find out that my biological father is a murder suspect. And I don’t plan on mentioning it unless I have to. Is there any fruit left?”
Kate said she’d get the basket. She took her time in the kitchen while making up a tray. Cheese was in the fridge, crackers in the pantry, and the basket was full of fruit. She sliced and arranged it and took it outside.
“This is great,” Jack said. “Look what she did.” He was admiring the food as if it was a feast. “Mustard. And olives. Okay, so what size ring do you want?” His mouth was full.
“Too late,” Kate said. “Alastair has already sized me for a family heirloom.”
Jack halted, crumbs on his chin, and stared.
Sara and Kate laughed in unison.
Jack groaned. “Yet again, I find myself living in a house full of women. All jokes are atmyexpense. I’m going to get a beer.” He hobbled away on his crutches.
When he was gone, Kate said, “He seems to have perked up since last night.”
“Thanks to you. But I doubt if his good mood lasts long. This has hit him hard, and he isn’t over Evan’s death by a long shot.”
“Were there any DUI charges brought against Jack?”
“Why should there be? Evan was driving.”
“I thought...” Kate trailed off.
“Jack was in a bar celebrating that he finally got those houses, and he drank too much. He called Evan, his beloved brother, to say how happy he was. Jack was going to get a ride home, but Evan said he’d come get him even though it was after midnight. Evan drove Jack’s truck. Jack fell asleep, and...that was it. He woke up when the truck was turning over. Evan was killed instantly.” Sara grimaced. “The brake fluid had drained out and Jack thinks it was because he’d driven over some rocks that day.Hisfault.”
“I misunderstood,” Kate said. “I’m sorry.”
“Gossip. It all goes back to Roy. People are waiting to see if Jack is going to be like him.”
“He doesn’t seem to be headed in that direction.”
Sara grinned as though she’d just heard the greatest compliment ever. Jack appeared with a cold can of beer and four kinds of deli meat.
“You need French bread with that,” Kate said.
“That’s what I say, but in this house, there’s no bread and no sugar.”
“Whole Foods is on University,” Sara said. “Brand-new and big. They let anybody in, even males.”
Jack ignored her comment. “So why aren’t you looking at your photos?”
“It didn’t seem fair to see them first. As soon as we get rid of the lawmen, I think we should put them on the big TV and look at them together.”
“Did you tell the county guys that you’d taken hundreds of photos of the site?” he asked.
“Darn! I forgot to mention that. But I’m sure they have a photographer of their own.”
Jack looked at Kate. “They won’t be as good as our Sara’s. Did you try some of this ham?”
