“Hey Mom, can you put me on speakerphone?” Jayson asked his mother.
“You’re on Bluetooth, son. What’s up? Everything okay?”
Lana could hear the concern in Mr. Kenwood’s voice. She hated to bring up bad memories while they were driving.
“Can you guys pull over at a well-lit gas station or fast-food place that’s still open?” Lana requested as she continued to nibble on her lower lip.
“We just pulled off to get gas. What’s going on?”
“Does the name Kenzie or a Brenda Wright ring any bells for you?” Lana cut to the chase.
“Y-yes. Kenzie was my baby sister. Brenda Wright was the one who caused her death. Even though Kenz had committed suicide, we couldn’t get Brenda for causing her death,” Mr. Kenwood’s quivering voice sounded over the phone.
“Lana, why are you asking Ken these questions?”
“I’ll get to that in a moment. Mr. Kenwood, can you tell me about the events that led up to your sister’s death?”
“Brenda and her friends bullied her relentlessly. Snakes left in her locker, eggs thrown at her, feces from animals thrown at her…you name it, it was done. The junior/senior prom was the straw that broke the camel’s back. She showed up…”
Lana stayed quiet as she let Mr. Kenwood collect himself. While she knew most of the story, Ken was filling in some gaps they had.
“She showed up for prom with a friend. Well, someone we thought was a friend. They helped orchestrate the beating and rape that my sister suffered at the dance in front of everyone.”
“Do you know why they targeted her?” Swift asked, after Lana nodded at her.
“Because Brenda assumed Kenz was interested in the football team’s captain, Elliot Conrad. She wasn’t. She was only tutoring the asshole. She was actually interested in another guy, Jefferey Blackman.”
“Wait, Jefferey Blackman as in the head of Blackman Financial?”
Hollywood had everyone’s head up, looking at her because of her question. If that was the case, it explained so much about that man.
“Yes. They were supposed to have gone to prom together, but Jeff got sick really bad with the stomach flu. He was down for a week, if I remember correctly.”
“Explains what we know of the man.” Rocky laughed half-heartedly.
“You’ve met Jeff?” Mr. Kenwood asked in shock.
“Yes. He is a huge supporter of our team at the sheriff’s office in Texas. He’s also a godparent to the twins and Trevor’s father-in-law.”
“Trevor?” Mrs. Kenwood asked in confusion.
“My senior officer, sometimes partner, depending on the assignment with the military.”
“Is he a good man?” Mr. Kenwood asked almost silently.
“Yes. And you should know, now that I’ve connected the dots, he’s named one of his daughters, Kenzie Lynn.”
“Wow, such a boring fucking moment. What does this bullshit have to do with me?” Ashley growled at everyone.
“The fact that Brenda Wright is your adopted grandmother, married to a U.S. Senator and has not only targeted HellburnFalls, but the Kenwoods out of revenge instead of growing the fuck up.”
CHAPTER
FIFTY-NINE
Lana heard the gasps on the phone and Jayson’s curse after her news. She knew there were more questions than answers for the Kenwoods.
“Why now?” Mrs. Kenwood questioned.
