“Who?” Leigh asked.
“Those two men.” I jutted my chin in their direction. Whatever they wanted wasn’t happening at my father’s wake. “I know one thing. They were not invited.” I stood. “I’m going to tell them to leave. If they don’t, I’ll have the Coopers’ security show them the way.”
Fin stood with me and walked by my side. “Gentlemen,” Fin said, his timbre growling an octave lower than usual. “This is an invitation-only celebration of life.”
“Mr. Graham. Ms. Hubbard,” Detective Oldson said with a nod. “We’re deeply sorry to interrupt. There’s been a development in your father’s case.”
“What case? It was an accident.” I inhaled. “Whatever it is, I’m sure it can wait until tomorrow.”
“Ma’am,” Trooper Daniels said, “is there a Ms. Bre Stanton here?”
I did a double take. “My father’s assistant. Yes, she’s here” —I looked around— "somewhere.”
“Could you point her out?” the detective asked.
“Why?” Fin asked.
“Mr. Graham, this is official business.”
“Again,” I said, “this could and should wait for tomorrow.”
“Yes, ma’am. It could have waited until it came to our attention that Ms. Stanton booked a one-way flight to California, leaving tonight at 9:08 p.m. It’s imperative we see her before she leaves town.”
A flight?
Bre hadn’t said anything about leaving.
“Ms. Hubbard,” the detective said, “this is very important.”
I turned toward the room and scanned from table to table. “There she is,” I said, nodding my chin forward. “The woman with short brown hair at table seven. She’s wearing the black dress with cap sleeves.”
“Thank you,” Trooper Daniels said before turning and walking toward her.
We watched stunned as the trooper approached Bre and spoke to her. She paled as her expression morphed from grief to shock.
I turned to Fin. “I don’t want a scene.” Inhaling, I walked to the table. “Bre, please go with these gentlemen. They just want to speak to you.” I slowed my timbre. “We don’t want a scene.”
She was now standing, looking at me with tears in her eyes. “Tell them I wouldn’t hurt Reid.”
What?
“Ms. Stanton” —the trooper had taken ahold of her arm— “please come with us.”
“Not here.” I growled. “Everyone come with me,” I turned, leading this spectacle away from the spotlight. Bre, Detective Oldson, Trooper Daniels, and Fin followed me to the other side of the curtain. A 5-man rush, hoping to stop whatever play was going down.
Spinning, I faced them all. “Tell me what this is about?”
Detective Oldson stepped forward. “Ms. Hubbard, this is an active investigation.”
“Dad’s death was an accident.”
“No longer. His case is officially a homicide.”
I reached for Fin’s arm. “You think someone killed my father?”
“We can’t discuss particulars with you. I can only tell you we have enough evidence to arrest Ms. Stanton.”
“What? No,” Bre cried. “I’d never hurt Reid.”
