“We’re already on it. There are several investigators currently working on the situation.”

Whitney’s brows go up. “There are?”

“Yes, and they’ll tell us immediately if they find anything.”

“Good. Keep me informed.”

I don’t like Asa Gable giving me orders, but in the interest of keeping the peace, I nod.

Whitney rises and moves toward her brother. “Are you staying? What’s your plan?”

“I’m here until after Cricket’s wedding, and then I have to get back.”

“Get back where?” McKinley asks, and quite frankly, I’m shocked by her question and her curiosity about him.

“That’s above your pay grade, Ms. Riscoff.” He turns to look at Whitney. “I’m going to go check in on Aunt Jackie. You coming?”

“Commodore thought it would be safer if we all stayed here for now.”

Her brother’s gaze cuts to me. “Really? The old man has you on lockdown?”

“Your name has been added to the guest list,” I tell him instead of giving him the confrontation he seems to want. “Feel free to come back anytime.”

Asa nods at me, and I still see mocking derision in his gaze.

“Take care of my sister, or I’ll take care of you.” With that vague threat, he heads for the door.

McKinley watches him as he leaves. “He’s . . . interesting.”

“He’s been in the military since he turned eighteen, so he’s a little . . . rough,” Whitney explains.

My sister stares at the door he just walked out of with enough concentration that I’m tempted to return the beating Gable gave me to encourage him to stay the hell away from her.

“He’s not in uniform.”

“I don’t think he’s active duty any more. I don’t actually know what he does . . . because he’ll never say.”

From the look of her brother, I’m going to guess that Whitney is one hundred percent accurate. She must not have caught the ten-thousand-dollar watch he was wearing on his wrist, but I did.

I don’t know what Asa Gable does, but it pays a hell of a lot better than Uncle Sam.

One more mystery to add to the unsolved column, but at least this one doesn’t bother me too much. No matter what Asa thinks of me, he’ll never do anything he thinks will hurt his sister.

“So, what’s next on today’s exciting agenda?” McKinley asks. “Because I’m not sure if I need to start drinking yet or wait until later.”

Twenty-Two

Whitney

With the press still in a frenzy outside the gates due to the grisly events of a few days ago, plus my bombshell confession about Ricky, Commodore still insists we only leave the house if absolutely necessary. When I ask about my cousin’s final dress fitting and he deems it unnecessary, I disagree completely.

“I appreciate your concerns,” I tell him, “but this isn’t something I can miss. She’s not just my cousin; she’s my best friend. I’ve already let the media take enough from me, and I’m not giving this up too.”