Vee exhaled and laid her head on the seat. “I don’t plan on going over to Daphne’s anytime soon.” Her forehead furrowed as she looked up. “Maybe I should look into security for both of us. While the idea of my father’s widow driving into a ditch doesn’t sadden me too much, Dad would want her to be safe. We can’t count on the county and city law enforcement to keep up their watches, and we have no idea how long this paparazzi obsession is going to last.” She paused. “Maker’s Mark and Crystal Light have security. Uncle Darin said he would increase the number of security officers on duty.”
“I like that you included yourself. Your dad would want you safe as well as Daphne.”
“It just seems…over the top. My dad was never a flaunt-your-money kind of person.” She shrugged. “Daphne, on the other hand…”
“The few times I met him, he seemed low-key.”
Vee smiled. “He was.”
It was great seeing her be able to talk about her father and be happy. Mourning was a tricky emotion. While I hadn’t lost either of my parents, I had lost grandparents. One day the memories brought smiles and the next day, sadness.
“I learned something,” she said, “years after it happened. My dad had season tickets at University of Kentucky for football for all the years I worked with the team. That would include when you played. I mean he couldn’t be there every weekend, but he was there.”
“He was in the stadium?” You would think that it would be at least whispered in the locker room. “No one ever mentioned that.”
Her smile was back. “He didn’t tell anyone who he was. His seats were in the parent section. He wore a blue Kentucky shirt or sweatshirt and mingled. When he finally told me about it, he said it was fun.”
“Why don’t you think he told you he was going at the time?”
Vee pursed her lips. “Like you said, Dad was low-key. He didn’t want to make me uncomfortable or put me under a spotlight. At the same time, he was being my dad.”
Again, I squeezed her thigh. “Keep remembering those happy memories.”
“I’d rather think about those than that detective and trooper last night. What they were saying doesn’t make sense. We should sue the trucking company, not the other way around.”
“I agree that it’s fucked,” I said. “Talk to the attorney Cammy recommended.”
“Her name is Tricia Loften. Her firm is in Frankfort. I’m calling her this morning.”
“Good.”
Vee sucked in a breath at the sight of news-station vans and people at the gate to Maker’s Mark Football Center. “Shit, they’re still there.”
“My windows are tinted. Just don’t look at them.”
Vee looked down and covered my hand with hers.
Turning mine palm up, our fingers intertwined.
Vee’s grip tightened as I slowed at the gate. Her lower lip disappeared between her teeth as she looked forward and behind. The line to enter Maker’s Mark was growing. There were two cars ahead of us and more lining up behind.
“So many people are going to see us,” she said.
Reporters were yelling questions.
“What did your meeting with the attorneys discover yesterday?” I asked, suddenly aware that we hadn’t talked about it.
“It was Dad’s attorney and Cammy. Basically, I’m the official owner. There’s a lot of paperwork and legal things, but for the purpose of the Coopers, I’m now the sole owner.”
“CEO?” I asked.
“Filling that position is up to me. I can take the reins or hire someone else.”
“Who can fire you?” We were the next vehicle up at the gate.
Vee scoffed. “No one.”
“Then who cares who sees us?” Releasing Vee’s hand, I rolled down my window and spoke to the security officer at the gate. “Griffin Graham.”
