Shattered Trust (Colorado Trust 4)

Jordan’s accusations and blame echoed in her mind. “You don’t have to ask me twice.”

Dale and Diana Blake were going to pay for what they’d done, and she’d do nothing to hinder their trip to hell. If nothing else, she’d have justice. Considering Justin didn’t even want to see her, most likely blamed her like Jordan did, what did she have to lose that she hadn’t lost already?

Chapter 24

Marley brought Nate’s sandwich to the couch, where he sat with his cast propped on the coffee table. She glanced at the TV and rolled her eyes with annoyance.

“It’s been a week. Can’t they let the damn thing go?” It was hard to walk away and not watch, but so far she’d managed to ignore the barrage of news reports. Just as she ignored the vultures camped outside their door. At least they were dwindling. Finally.

“This is a big thing for our little city,” Nate said. “There hasn’t been a high-profile, multiple murder case like this in sixteen years.”

Marley turned to him with a frown. He didn’t have to sound so excited about it.

Nate shrugged. “That’s what they said yesterday.”

“Why do you watch it, anyway? Doesn’t it bother you?”

It bothered her. The constant reminder of everything the Blakes had taken from her. And it wasn’t just her mother. It was hard to miss what you didn’t remember having. But Justin…

She’d had his friendship. His caring. His touch.

Justin, she missed.

She sat on the couch and watched the TV in spite of herself. A reporter advised the bloodthirsty public about the arraignment for Dale and Diana Blake today while their mug shots flashed on the screen. Since talking to the police that night, Marley had been torn about her desire for justice. Well, not torn really. She wanted them to pay their debt to society, but for Justin’s sake, she regretted what was to come. This had to be so hard for him. Just thinking of him made her chest ache.

“I’ll turn it off if you want,” Nate said grudgingly.

“In a related story,” the reporter continued, “we now go live to the Boulder County Courthouse where we’ve just learned…”

“Please.” Marley rose to straighten the magazines on the coffee table.

“…the sons of Dale and Diana Blake, who inherited Hunter Construction after the death of Karl Hunter, have filed—”

Marley’s head whipped toward the screen just as it went blank.

“Turn it back on!” She lunged for the remote in Nate’s hand, then jabbed the power button twice before the TV flickered to life.

“…scene with a live report. Alexia, what can you tell us?”

Marley groped behind her for the edge of the coffee table and sat, eyes glued to the screen.

“Thank you, Robin. It’s been a busy morning here for the Blake family. Not only will Dale and Diana Blake be indicted for murder this morning, but we’ve just learned that Hunter Construction, owned by sons Justin and Jordan Blake, has filed Chapter 11 and the twins are here at the courthouse right now.”

Marley couldn’t believe it. Hunter Construction, bankrupt. She couldn’t imagine how Justin would deal with this on top of everything else.

“You’ve been following this story, Alexia, explain how it’s come down to this for such a well-known and respected company that’s been a pillar of our community for so many years.”

“Well, Robin, unfortunately, no matter how well respected the company and its owners have been in the past, the citizens of Boulder can’t seem to get past this scandal. A source close to the company said the last straw for the struggling Hunter Construction was when Jenkins Associates pulled the contract for their multi-million dollar project and awarded the bid to a different company…”

Marley shot to her feet. “They lost the Jenkins job?”

“It’s been pretty bad,” Nate said. “Reporters have been following them around just like they’ve been camped out here. Justin and Jordan have refused to give any interviews, and people are speaking out against them.”

She frowned. “Why? Who?”

He lifted a shoulder. “Tommy Berndt’s family has been all over the news. Justin released an apology

earlier in the week, but the news doesn’t replay that like they do the rest of it. The fact that Justin was arrested that night hasn’t helped, even though all the charges were dropped.”