“Ma’am, you haven’t made a single uncalculated move since you arrived. I may not comment, or even involve myself, but don’t mistake that for complacency. Lainey is my granddaughter. I will defend her and hers with everything at my disposal. If you wish to take on King, then enjoy yourself. I have no objections. You will not involve my family in your drama or anyone else’s. Are we clear?”
The older woman said nothing for far too long, then she nodded slowly before she slid her sunglasses back into place. “Well-played, Leopold. Well-played. I knew you were the one to watch for.”
Grandfather neither accepted the compliment or responded to it. “Good afternoon, Margareta.”
“Good afternoon, Leopold…” Then the weight of her gaze was on me again. “Lainey.” It was almost a relief when she ceased staring at me. “Gentlemen.” Then she turned, giving us all her back as though she had nothing to be concerned about.
That wasn’t a show of trust, but one of power. As moves went, it was interesting.
“Be careful of her, sweet girl.”
“I planned on it,” I promised.
Grandfather nodded, then glanced at Adam. “When is Harper’s funeral?”
“In a couple of hours. You don’t have to attend,” Adam answered. “Frankly, if I could get away with it, I would just flush what remains they gathered from the crash site and call it good. But I’ll put in an appearance, briefly, then leave. The will reading is still a few weeks out. The attorneys are already working on the dispensations.”
“Yes, there are investigations as well,” Leopold said. “And I’ll go with you to the funeral. Appearances should be kept. Margareta was right about one thing…the jackals will be circling. United front, my boy. United front.”
Surprise stamped across Adam’s face and I had to bite the inside of my lip as Grandfather started toward the parking lot. We’d all ridden together, and we were all dressed for a funeral.
The protectiveness in his manner toward Adam and the others was new.
But I liked it.
I liked it a lot.
We had one more thing to deal with after this next funeral, then we could go. We could join the hunt for Andrea.
Chapter
Fourteen
ADAM
Iwish I had been kidding about the services for my father. Though we didn’t have a body, Hamilton had insisted on a casket for the funeral. Something over the top, luxurious and expensive. Since I’d wanted little to nothing to do with the planning, it had gone ahead.
The service had been a brief one before we moved to host the memorial itself at the country club, because where else would Hamilton plan an event? It was beyond gaudy, and more than a little tacky. Then again, that was my uncle to a tee.
Leopold’s snort of derision when we arrived was well-deserved. For now, they were keeping their distance while I made a few strategic stops. Unlike Hamilton, I didn’t need to court the board or their cronies. I’d been gathering stock in Reed for a long time.
I also had a few of my own allies. One of which, surprisingly, turned out to be Leopold who apparently owned more than ten percent of the company all by himself. When Lainey had stared at him, her own shock evident, I’d felt a bit better. The old man had seriously been intent on doing some damage to my father, possibly taking the whole company down.
Now?
He said he’d back whatever play I made as long as Lainey approved. I wasn’t sure what happened in that conversation with him when I’d gone to find Lainey, but something had clearly changed. The dark suspicion that edged all of his words and actions seemed to have faded.
The fact he included all four of us in his scope of protection when he spoke to Margareta Waldemar promised as much. This wasn’t a new ploy or plot. He was supporting Lainey and that wasn’t something I would argue with.
Jason, like me, didn’t bother with moving to the front of the dining room where Hamilton held court. He was talking to investors, board members, and more.
“He’s shoring up support,” Jason warned before he took a sip of the vodka on the rocks he’d ordered. It sounded good to me, but I wanted a clear head. I didn’t doubt that Hamilton would make a move before they even took the empty casket away for internment in the family mausoleum.
Depressing place. Mother hadn’t actually been put there. She had her own gravesite, near trees and a stream. It was a lovely spot. I could visit her without having to deal with the rest of my family.
I rather doubt my father intended to do me any favors with that choice, but I accepted it in full. I didn’t need to see him again and I was glad there was no body to put in there. If this were a horror movie, we’d need to salt and burn the corpse just to make sure the demon was gone for good.
“Do I want to know what you’re going to do?” Jason asked. Like Hamilton, he was also my uncle. Unlike Hamilton, he wasn’t a raging shithead. He was also the father of my favorite cousin.
Our detente had definitely grown after Fletcher called him as part of an agreement to get more answers out of Jason, particularly about what he knew regarding Lainey and her biological father.
“I don’t know,” I said, taking a sip from the tumbler I had in my hand. The watery iced tea looked enough like a bourbon, that no one commented. If they did? I really didn’t give a damn. “Do you?”
Jason paused, lowering his drink. The reproachful look he shot me might intimidate some. Unfortunately, my father had made a habit of baleful looks and dismissive stares. I was immune.
“I thought I made my support quite clear a few days ago,” he said before taking another sip. “What do you need? A contract in blood?”
“No,” I told him. “We already have one in blood. Blood doesn’t make for trust though. You back the strongest player in the room. It was why you backed my father.”
Why he would back me.
Instead of dismissing the charge, Jason nodded once. “I also kept my distance unless he pushed the issue of wanting me involved. There’s a difference between support and apathy.”
The logic was sound. “Agreed.”
“I’m offering you support.”
