Her expression changed as if she’d eaten something sour. “He said Grandpa partnered with Uncle Darin’s father?”
I went on to tell her what Clark said. Darin Marsh’s father was a financier who worked for a reputable firm and had connections to other NFL owners.
“But Grandpa bought the Coopers before Uncle Darin and Aunt Rachel were together.”
“Right. Darin wasn’t involved in the original deal. Carroll and Blaine knew one another. Blaine helped Carroll get the votes needed by the owners to be able to purchase a team and helped with financing. According to Clark, Blaine Marsh inflated the worth of your grandparents’ restaurants. That was only on paper. The extra money came from Darin’s father.”
“Why would Grandpa agree to this? What did Blaine get out of the deal?”
“Vee, I don’t know why or if your grandfather did this. As for what Blaine got; he was promised that his son would eventually be part owner or maybe total owner of the Coopers.”
Vee did the math. “But Aunt Rachel was only a teenager when Grandpa bought the team.”
“In this scenario, your aunt and uncle were persuaded to marry by their fathers.”
Vee took a minute to digest all we said. “Then Grandpa cut Aunt Rachel from the team.”
“Again, according to the story, it was a double cross, not on your aunt. The team was always supposed to go to Rachel or at least half of it. Your grandfather changed his will, not to cut Rachel out, but to cut Darin and Grant out. He did it to hurt Blaine.”
Vee leaned back against the sofa, the game on the television forgotten. “I’m stunned. Why would Preston make up this story?”
“He’s worried for you. He said he’d called and left messages and you haven’t returned them.”
“I spoke to him the first time he called after the breakup. I almost didn’t. Then I remembered how it felt to be ghosted.”
Low blow.
“So that time, I answered,” Vee said. “Since Dad’s death, I haven’t wanted to talk to many people. I answered Emma’s call and a few others. Mustering the strength for Preston was beyond my ability.”
“He wanted to warn you. He believes that your father’s death wasn’t an accident. He also doesn’t think it was Bre who facilitated it.”
Vee’s eyes filled with tears as her mouth hung open. “What am I supposed to do with this information?”
“Keep your eyes open.”
Chapter 25
Vee
* * *
“You didn’t need to address your plans with the executives ahead of time regarding sitting Dennison,” I said as Don Tilson sat in my office early Monday morning. “Speaking for the other executives, we appreciate that you did. Thank you for letting us know.”
He set his coffee cup on the nearby table and leaned forward, placing his elbows on his man-spread knees. “I assume you read Cody Simpson’s medical report.”
“I did. It appears he’s out for the season.”
Don sat taller. “Now what I’m about to say isn’t meant to sound as if I’m against Griffin Graham.”
My eyebrow quirked. “Don, as I’ve said before, my personal relationship with Mr. Graham has no bearing on his play with the Coopers. It shouldn’t affect your decisions either.”
“Graham’s a solid backup. Your daddy and I agreed on some things. One of those things was a deep bench. With Simpson out, Drew and I will be moving Joshua Jackson up from the practice squad.”
I nodded. “He’ll need to learn the plays.”
“He was drafted to the Buccaneers.”
“Seven years ago in the sixth round,” I said, stopping an unneeded explanation. “Tough spot to play behind Brady.”
