"The difference is you're guilty. I'm not."
"Jackson, c'mon. Let's go," I say, sensing the rising tension between them. If we stay here much longer, punches are going to be thrown.
Braden watches us as we leave.
"Better watch out, Rumor," Braden calls out. "You're gonna be next."
Jackson and I ignore him and go in the kitchen, greeted by the aroma of coffee brewing and bacon sizzling on the stove. Ana is there, wearing a yellow dress with a white apron, her hair wrapped up in a bun. I've never seen her wear a dress to work before but maybe Brock told her to wear nice clothes today as part of his ongoing attempt to impress Roman.
Brock and Roman are seated at the table across from each other, both having coffee. Brock's face is beaming. Having Hollywood's hottest director sitting at his kitchen table? Eating breakfast with him? This a dream come true for Brock. Still, he shouldn't be smiling so much given the situation. Both their sons are being investigated for murder. That's not something to smile about.
"Rumor. Jackson," Brock says, "Have a seat."
"The food will be ready shortly," Ana says in her usual quiet voice.
I don't know how she got everything ready so quickly. The long center island has trays of muffins and other pastries, along with a large fruit tray and some kind of egg casserole flecked with green and red vegetables.
"Mind if I start?" Jackson asks, grabbing a plate from the stack. "I'm starving."
"Brock?" Ana says, afraid to answer Jackson without Brock's permission.
"Yes, go ahead," Brock says to Jackson.
"I'm going to get started as well," Roman says, getting up. "I need to get going."
"Oh," Brock says with disappointment. "I was hoping we could discuss some things after breakfast."
"Work will need to wait." Roman takes a plate and stands next to Jackson, who's helping himself to some fruit. "There are more pressing issues I need to deal with. I'm sure you understand."
"Of course." Brock races up behind Roman. "Rumor and I will join you. There's no need to wait."
Ana looks back at Brock from the stove. "The soufflé is—"
"Never mind the soufflé," Brock says. "Just put out whatever is ready."
She gives him an annoyed look but he doesn't notice. She was probably still asleep when he woke her up and told her to race over here to make breakfast. I still can't figure out how she made all this in such a short amount of time. The drive from San Diego alone took up half the time. Or maybe she wasn't there. Maybe she was here, spending the night with Brock.
Every time I see her now, I keep thinking of what she used to do, and what she does now with Brock, in his sex room. I try to force myself not to think about that, but my brain does it anyway.
"So," Brock says once we're all seated. "More meetings with the lawyers today, I presume?"
"We have one this morning." Roman glances at Jackson, who's beside him. "They called when you were in the shower."
"Why? I've already talked to them."
"They spoke with the police this morning." Roman picks up his coffee. "We'll discuss it later."
"Everything is ready," Ana says, coming over to the table. "The bacon and other hot items are now on the counter. Would you like me to serve you?"
"I can get it myself," Jackson says, hopping up from the table. He already ate everything on his plate. I've never seen him eat that fast.
"Roman, would you like anything?" Brock asks.
"Just more coffee." He dabs his napkin over his mouth. "I generally don't eat much in the mornings."
Ana hurries off to get the coffee as Jackson sits back down at the table, his plate piled with food.
"What did the police say?" I ask Roman. "When they called this morning?"
