Fall From Grace

“Because Phillips wasn’t even home then?” I cut in.

Herst looks at me. “It wouldn’t have mattered if he was across the state in Wilmington or here in Asheville. That scene was made to look like a crime of passion. But the—”

“Carson,” Noah warns. “You know you can’t—”

“I am just here asking questions,” Carson says, holding up his hands.

I’m beginning to wonder how much Noah knows about Carson. If the suspicion I got on the way here is true. “Sorry, Noah. I am the one that is curious. Can’t take the journalist out of me.”

“You’re a journalist?” Herst asks.

“Was. Don’t worry, I’m not writing a story on this. Just curious. Always curious.”

He chuckles. “My brother-in-law is a journalist too. So I understand. And it’s not like anything the prosecution doesn’t know. Maybe not the public. I don’t mind letting a few details slide as long as you aren’t writing a story.”

“No stories from me anymore.”

Carson looks at me with a hint of curiosity.

“You saw the crime scene photos?” Herst asks Carson. He nods. “The bodies looked like they were killed execution style. Which, again, doesn’t rule out the governor. He could have hired someone.”

“But from what I’ve read in the news, there really is no motive. Even though the wife came from a well-off Southern family, he was born into just as much wealth. So why would he do it?”

“That’s what has everyone scratching their heads.”

“But there is evidence that points to him hiring a hit man,” I say. “But evidence can always be faked.”

Herst nods.

“Hmm. So do you have theories?” I ask, completely taking over the conversation. “You said the crime scene was weird. I haven’t seen any photos personally but I’m guessing it wasn’t just bodies lined up in a row with bullet holes to the back of their heads.” Carson cringes and Noah looks at me like I’ve grown two heads. “I listen to a lot of true crime too.”

Herst shakes his head. “The bodies of the kids were found in bed; the wife downstairs watching TV. But there were…” He trails off as the server comes back to the table with our lunch.

“I think we should end it there,” Noah says, giving his brother a stern look.

Carson shrugs. “You’re probably right. Don’t want to talk about blood while eating.”

I quickly glance at Carson as he cuts into his steak then looks around the table, everyone has quieted and started eating. I take a huge bite of my burger and think about what I heard. If one of the detectives on the case thinks something is off, then there is something to look into. I know from reading about the case that the police quickly named the governor a prime suspect, and it didn’t take long for him to be arrested. But just a few pieces of doubt from this man has me knowing that Carson just found his way to winning this case.

The subject changes and Noah and Carson start talking about their family dinner on Sunday.

“You should bring Grace since she is your girlfriend.” I don’t miss the humor in his voice.

“It’s not that serious,” Carson says.

I frown. “Baby, you don’t have to pretend with your brother,” I tease.

Carson turns toward me, and I can see him holding back his fury. “I thought you had plans with your family on Sunday.”

I shrug. “Owen can do without me for a day.”

I watch his jaw clench and I know he is pissed. I have to fight to hold in my laughter.

“We’ll discuss it later.”

Noah looks over at me, and I can see humor on his face. I might have just met the man but he is definitely nicer than Carson. And I can tell he also knows that I am making up the girlfriend thing.

By the time lunch is over, I know Carson is reeling from my overindulgence in me pretending to be his girlfriend. But once I started, I couldn’t stop. It was my entertainment and I think Noah’s too.