Rho Epsilon Beta
Never heard of the elite fraternity founded at Poughkeepsie’s Oakwood College?
More recent members include James Devere.
You’ve heard of him, I assume?
As the one-time VP turned president who’s running for reelection, I should hope so.
Clyde Korhonen—the Canadian billionaire? Also a frat brother.
Tolya Voronov—long suspected leader of the Russian Bratva in Moscow. A member.
Graham Brackton Sr.—you guessed it, a brother.
Brutus Dyers? Ding, ding, ding.
Don’t believe me? Their membership is public record.
When presidents are your brothers, is it any wonder that bird conservation rules get swept away like trash?
Of course, a suspicious mind might wonder if Anastasia knows too much to ever be allowed to divorce Brackton…
What secrets has she amassed in her twenty-three-year marriage to Brackton Sr.? What truths could she share…?
Maybe we’ll never know. Especially if her ‘overdose’ turns fatal.
I’ll keep you updated on her status…
Having readthe article out loud, I scoffed, “What a load of bullshit.”
“You know it isn’t, Kitty. We’ve all heard the rumors about Oakwood.”
I hooted. “You believe everything you hear.”
“I don’t!”
“Do too.”
“Tell you what. I’ll make you a hat from the foil covering my Tupperware of last night’s pasta if you want.”
“We both know Anastasia overdosed?—”
“Drugs are common in that scene.” I motioned at the clearly wealthy man snoring away on the hospital bed beside us. “You owe me a coffee, buster. Don’t think I’ll let you renege now.”
Still grumbling about my lack of an ‘open mind,’ George shepherded me out of the bay.
Only when we made it into the break room did I tug on his hand and drag him in for another hug. “Promise me that you’ll still bombard me with this bullshit when you’re on the West Coast?”
He squeezed me tightly. “You’ll always be my conspiracy theories sounding board. A move will never change that.”
Eyes prickling with tears, I sagged. “Good.”
TWO
KITTY
TWO YEARS LATER
