“Where is he?” she finally asks after a long minute.

“Gone.”

I don’t say that I’m not sure where because when I went back to that wretched room after making sure Mercedes was going to be alright, Theron was gone. All that was left was the bloody spot where his head had been. His car was gone, too. I can’t say what he took as far as clothes or money because I hadn’t been inside the South Cottage since I gave it to him, and I have no idea how he drove himself or if he did, but he hasn’t been seen or heard from and Ezra Moore, the investigator I hired to find him, has found nothing.

“You never have to see him again, Mercedes.”

She nods, turns her attention to the steaming cup in her hands.

4

Judge

I spend most of the day with Ezra Moore, a man I trust, who is now digging deeper into Theron’s finances. Ezra has worked with me multiple times over the years. He handles all sorts of personal business I need handled outside of IVI. I have frozen Theron’s accounts but was surprised at how little money he had left considering I just paid him a sizeable allowance when he moved into the South Cottage and swore to stay away from Mercedes.

At first, I’d assumed he’d withdrawn all he could when he ran but it doesn’t look like that’s the case. And now, as we dig deeper into the accounts he held when my grandfather was paying him, I’m wondering exactly what is going on.

Because a lot of money is gone. And the way he looked the night he hurt Mercedes wasn’t right. I’m beginning to suspect there’s something more complex and darker in my brother’s life than I thought.

My mother, of course, claims to know nothing. Claims he couldn’t have done what he did and that it must have been sexual play that got out of hand. Then she accused Mercedes of being to blame, using Theron to make me jealous, and claiming Theron was only confused as to what she wanted. I almost killed her then and there. Paolo was with me when I questioned her. If he hadn’t been I’m not sure what I would have done.

She’s been smart enough to keep to herself in her cottage in the weeks since and I’ll be monitoring her comings and goings because I know one thing for sure. She’ll cover for Theron. And it’s just a matter of time until he needs money and he’s in touch.

Late in the afternoon I make my way down to Royal Street where King George III flower shop is located.