The surprise in his dad’s voice was evident. Ben was sure that his father hadn’t expected that answer.
"I'm just helping a friend," Ben repeated.
He wasn't sure he could explain it himself without getting into his job, his company, Scott’s relocation to a commune, and the strange pull he felt to help Kelly.
He barely understood it himself.
Luckily, his dad was a wise man who knew when to push and when to back off a bit.
"What makes you think this coroner hid something?"
Ben explained about Whitfield's close relationship with Lori's father, the town's desire to sanitize what had happened, and their theory that Lori might have been pregnant when she died based on what they’d been told by her high school boyfriend.
"Small towns," Seth said with a knowing sigh when Ben finished. "They're all the same. Everyone's in everyone else's business until there's something ugly to deal with. Then suddenly, nobody saw anything."
"Exactly. We need to confirm whether Lori was pregnant. It could completely change the direction of the investigation."
"I can reach out to Logan or Jared. They've got access to databases I don't. Might take a day or so, but we should be able to track down where this Whitfield character landed. Of course, you could have called your sister, Ben. She could have done this, too."
“I thought about it, but she might be busy.”
And she would have asked a lot of questions. Many questions. Lulu Reilly was a naturally curious person. It was an excellent trait as a sheriff.
“Right. Busy. That’s a good reason. Well, I’m happy to help, and you can thank your uncles when you visit for your Mom’s birthday. You will be there?”
Ben couldn’t help but feel a bit of shame that his family thought there was any doubt. These past few years, he’d sucked as a son.
"Thanks, Dad. I appreciate it. And I will be there. No doubt."
"Glad to hear it. Your mother really wants to see you." His father paused, and Ben could hear the creak of the recliner in the background. "You know, this is the most animated I've heard you sound in a very long time."
Ben tensed slightly. Had Chase kept his secret? He didn’t think his brother would betray his trust.
"And for what it's worth, I think you're doing the right thing, helping this girl. Someone has to stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves anymore."
It was exactly what his father would say. Seth Reilly had built his career, his reputation, and his life on that principle. Stand up for those who can't. Do what's right, not what's easy. The man lived his values in a way few people did.
"I learned from the best," Ben said quietly.
"Don't go making me sound like some kind of saint," Seth protested, though Ben could hear the smile in his voice. "Your mother would laugh out loud at that idea."
Ben chuckled, grateful for the moment of levity. His father had always been there for him, solid as bedrock. Whether it was teaching him to fish, helping with math homework, or now, reaching out to contacts to track down a possibly corrupt coroner, Seth Reilly showed up. It was something Ben had perhaps taken for granted before, but here in the quiet darkness, hundreds of miles from home, he felt its true value.
"I'll make those calls," Seth promised. "I’ll call you as soon as I know anything."
"Thanks, Dad. I mean it."
"No need for thanks. That's what families are for."
Those simple words held more meaning than paragraphs of flowery sentiment. That's what families are for. In the Reilly household, it wasn't just something you said.
It was how you lived.
"So," his dad said, clearing his throat, "this Kelly woman. Is she pretty?"
His dad hadn’t been the type to pry into Ben’s relationships, especially after the age of eighteen, so the question was a surprise.
"Yes," Ben replied. "Yes, she is. She's also smart and determined. She's been fighting for her friend's justice for years when everyone else wanted to forget."
