Falling for the Brother

“She told him.” He’d said as much. “At the bar Thursday night, after she met with you. Said she wanted him to know in case he heard about it.”

“Did she say anything else?”

“He said no. But he thought it was odd that she felt she had to tell him about it.”

“Or he wanted you to know she’d been at my house late at night.”

“Why would he do that?”

“Bruce might not be an elder abuser, but Bruce is still Bruce,” he said. “I’m beginning to think he doesn’t realize he reframes things to manipulate people into his camp. I’ll even go so far as to say it’s possible he means no harm—that it’s only to get, or keep himself, in people’s good books—but he does it.”

She couldn’t argue with that. “He did mention her after I told him I knew he’d slept with her.” Which was her response to Bruce’s suggesting they think about trying again.

“You’d consider getting back with him?”

“Hell, no!” She pressed her lips together when she heard the adamant tone of the response that slipped out. And then, looking at him, said, “I can’t. Not feeling the way I do for—” She stopped herself again, still looking at him.

His expression didn’t change from respectful interest. She wanted that one night back. Even if she only got it for one more night. She needed to know she hadn’t imagined the complete and utter joy she’d found with him. Not just the sex, but the entire night.

“My reasons for divorcing Bruce were valid. They still are.” She had to break the silence. “I don’t trust him to stay faithful. His undercover persona blurs too many lines.”

He was still watching her.

“I’m the type of woman who needs complete monogamy in a relationship.” Just in case he didn’t know that. How could he? She’d given him a one-nighter and then married his brother the next week.

“I’ve got a warrant to question Elmer Guthrie, the neighbor, when I get back to town this afternoon. That’s for your ears only.”

She nodded. Thankful he’d rescued them from the dangerous and stupid path she’d veered onto.

“I’ll keep you posted on the rest of the investigation from here on out,” he added. “You’re a witness, but you’re also a cop. Since Bruce opened that door, I don’t see any harm.”

She smiled. A damned foolish thing to do in a professional situation. His letting her “in” was professional, not personal. Not worthy of a smile. She felt she should explain, but couldn’t come up with anything that wouldn’t be equally imbecilic.

“Grace had never heard of Elmer.” He didn’t seem in any hurry to leave—not that he really had anyplace to be until Grace was ready to go home.

“Bruce said she’d had him to the house for dinner a time or two.”

“Yeah, that’s what he told me. Tax records show that Elmer bought his place right about the time Miriam broke off her friendship with Grace.”

His puzzle pieces were all falling into place. He had to be happy about that.

“I’d like to talk about how we’re going to handle things where Bruce is concerned if the paternity test comes back positive.”

Her heart pounded. There it was again. That surge of emotion that seemed to clog up her entire chest—leaving no room for air.

For a woman not prone to drama, she sure seemed to be wallowing in it all of a sudden.

“It’s going to be a tough one,” she said, cringing at the thought of that conversation. “He doesn’t deserve it. He’s Brianna’s dad…” She couldn’t make that one right.

Or come to terms with the idea that her action—and Mason’s—could have such painful repercussions for someone else. How did you live with something like that and still like yourself? She studied the top of her desk, the calendar, in-box, stack of files. Her cell phone lying there.

“I was going to suggest we not say anything for now.”

Raising her head, she stared at him, wanting to grab the lifeline he’d just offered. Could it be that simple? All of this could just go away? “Brianna’s too young to understand…” He’d started to speak again. “We should give ourselves time to adjust, to figure out, as her parents, how we’re going to handle the situation. We can get finances set up for her, that kind of thing.”