“What are you doing here?”
“I can’t surprise my brothers?”
Bogs laughed, shaking his head. “Oh, fuck, what did you do?”
Typical.
She rolled her eyes and walked into the office. “What makes you think I need something?”
“‘Cause it’s the only time you show up for a,” he lifted his hands and curved his fingers in air quotes, “surprise visit.”
She snorted. “That’s bullshit.”
“Remember last time you were here?”
Well, he had her there. Instead of admitting the truth, she pointed to his chair. “If you were a gentleman, you’d get your ass up and let me sit.”
The corner of his mouth curled. “I’m not a gentleman.”
Before Roxanne could say another word, she heard a rumbling growl from across the room.
“Get the fuck up,” T snapped.
She had a different relationship with all her brothers, each one unique. Of all of them, T had taken his protective big brother position the most seriously when it came to her. Bogs shook his head but stood and walked past her with a deep scowl. She smiled triumphantly and took a seat.
“What’s going on?” Stone asked.
She would have to approach this conversation delicately. The fact that Jonah didn’t know she was speaking to her brothers about this could backfire if he ever found out. That was the last thing she wanted.
“This isn’t a personal request.”
Stone shared a look with Bogs and knitted his brows. “Then what is it?”
“Professional.” She shrugged.
Stone smiled. “Well, I’m fucking intrigued. Let’s hear it.”
Her stomach twisted, and she nervously shifted in her chair. Once she put it on the table, there was no going back. A tinge of guilt made her pause and take a breath. It was as if she were breaking Jonah’s confidence—a betrayal, in a sense. Shewas sure her brothers knew his backstory, but her request would have them digging deeper, invading his privacy.
Only if he finds out.
“If I asked you to do something,” she glanced between T and Stone, “would you do it in complete confidence?”
Bogs snorted. “Jesus, where’s the body and how deep do you want it buried?”
Stone laughed at the comment. But he was the only one. She noticed T’s stare boring into her. He couldn’t possibly know what she was going to ask.Right?
“I want you to find someone.” She eyed her brothers, watching their reactions.
“Who?” Stone asked.
“The guy named as a person of interest in Jonah’s family's accident. Apparently, he took off after being investigated, but from everything I know, it sounds real shady.”
“What exactly do you know?” T asked, but it came across as an accusation.
“Well …” She shifted in her seat. “This guy, Reuben Pryor, was reported as being drunk when he left the bar, and the quickest way to his house would’ve had him passing the scene. If he was drunk, there’s a good possibility he was too impaired to see Sawyer and hit him. But even drunk, he would’ve had to have known he hit something, right? Maybe he got out, saw what he did and just took off knowing he’d get in trouble. And the sheriff who investigated? Pryor was his son-in-law? That in itself is unethical, not to mention extremely suspicious. He had every reason to lie for Pryor. If this doesn’t scream cover-up, I don’t know what does.”
The room fell silent. Roxanne made a plausible argument. She was hoping it was enough for them to help. Why wouldn’t they? Not only was she their sister but, more importantly, Jonah was their friend.
