"It was better for Alma. It was taking her too long."
Playing God?Martin ground his teeth.
The video played on. "The fall? Don't forget, Lewis, my security people gave me that video." Talbot's lip curved upwards in a snarl.
"It wasn't my fault the maid got there. Ten minutes more and it would've been over. Elizabeth and that baby would be dead. You more than made up for it, starting with that grief-stricken performance in the hospital. She knows about the letters. What's the big deal?" Clay drank from the glass.
"Big deal? Are you kidding? After her mother's death, I wanted her at my side for a White House bid. If she decides to show her mother's letter to the press, my reputation is destroyed. Bad enough that Elizabeth sent you a couple of letters. Tibby and I had a few beers and barbecued them. With this development, we need to take care of her and destroy that letter. A grieving man who lost his wife and child could be very successful on a campaign."
"When you're ready, she's mine to take care of."
Martin felt nauseated. The video went on for twenty minutes showing an empty den. He was about to turn it off when the sound kicked in.
"What are you doing here?" Talbot asked.
Brynn Hackman entered the room with Louella Miranda, Indira Choudhury, Pietra Hahn, Hailey Ullman, and Henrietta Krump. “I'm sorry about Alma. Tal, I had to hear from Clay that Elizabeth is creating more trouble." Brynn's expression was one of reserved anger.
Martin swallowed hard.
"Brynn, I just buried my wife. I was going to tell you when the appropriate mourning period was over."
"Puh-leeze, you aren't mourning anyone. If we were able to run this operation without you stupid men, we would. You need to get your acts together." Pietra sat on the leather couch.
"I want to hear it from you: what's the story with Elizabeth?" Brynn made herself a drink. After Talbot reported what he said to Clay, the group discussed multiple ways to kill Elizabeth.
Martin realized there were multiple near misses.
An hour later, Talbot and Brynn sat alone. "Tal, last year was our best payout yet. Thirty million dollars." The doorbell rang. Thibodaux Spooner, Celine and Alden McAllister, and Cecile and Hal Dufour joined Brynn and Talbot. They went on to detail the entire operation, including a review of all involved parties.
Martin typed and sent his report. He had the final corroboration of all involved.
He slid down beside Elizabeth, who smelled of coconut and her own unique scent. His eyes fluttered closed, only to open at the sound of sweet gurgles that turned into soft cries.
Elizabeth's violet eyes met his gray ones. "Someone is hungry. Sleep." She kissed his cheek before she carried Lola from the room.
Tighe slept on a cot beside Lissa's bed. She cried, "No. No. No. Stop!"
Tess joined Tighe at her bedside. "Honey, my name is Tess. Does something hurt?"
Lissa panted. "Don't make me go back. Uncle Tighe, please."
Tighe cradled her in his arms and rocked her until she fell back asleep. "It's okay, Lissa. I'm here. The bad people will never hurt you again."
Tess wiped away a tear. "What's going to happen to her?"
Tighe ran his hand down Lissa's back. "I...I'm going to find a way to keep that promise." Tighe decided to speak with Ian, Kieran, and Martin in the morning.
At dawn, Martin joined Ian, who was sipping coffee at the Bailey dining room table. "What does your Mom do? This is delicious."
"Cinnamon."
"You alright? I read your report," Ian spoke in a soft voice.
"How can I be, finding out my fiancée's father helped plan her death? Or that her ex-husband wished he had ten more minutes to kill her? And the best one, her father had Pietra hasten her mother's death." Martin spat the poison from his gut.
"I hear you, but, Martin, that hatred burns into the marrow of your bones until they shatter. Don't do this to yourself or Elizabeth,” Ian spoke with surety.
"I know. How do I tell her?" His voice strangled with frustration.
