CHAPTER TWELVE
“You lasted longer than I thought you would.”
Noah ever so gently pulled back on his cue stick before smoothly stroking forward and connecting the chalked tip with the cue ball. He pocketed the number three in the corner pocket and lined up his next shot perfectly with just enough angle to give him the leave he needed for the next. Lance had forgotten how good his brother was at playing pool and already regretted betting five bucks on this game. Well, at least he wouldn’t have to buy the next round as well.
“What the hell does that mean?” Lance took a swig of his beer as he sought out Brynn who was currently behind the bar with a smile on her face. He’d missed that bit of sunshine in his life and hadn’t realized how much until now. “We dated in high school and remained friends. Is it a crime to get reacquainted?”
“No, but it sure as hell will be justifiable homicide when Tiny lays you out with an upper cut. He warned you, didn’t he?” Noah successfully ended the first game of what was about to turn into best out of three. “Have you seen the size of his fists? I wouldn’t put money on which blow will be the telling one…maybe the first, possibly the second.”
Lance didn’t bother to answer his brother’s taunt, because it would only fuel Noah’s need to continue on this topic of discussion. And right now, talking about Brynn was off limits. Everyone and their father was here tonight. It mostly had to do with the fact that news about him finding photographs of young girls had made the rounds and everyone wanted to be there for the next episode of the Kendall family saga. He didn’t need to add fuel to the fire.
The band was still playing country music, conversation and laughter had become louder as the night wore on, and it was apparent that Brynn was making a killing tonight from the amount of alcohol that was flowing through the bar. It didn’t surprise him to see the door swing open to admit more patrons.
“Did you see who just walked in the front entrance?”
“Yeah,” Noah replied before thinning his lips. “Rose should have minded her own business. This family reunion isn’t going to go quite as she’d planned.”
Wes and Clayton Schaeffer made their way to the bar after stopping to greet several people. A quick glance in that direction told Lance that Miles had already been alerted to the fact that his two older boys had entered the premises. He was already reaching for his wallet.
“Can I buy you a drink?”
Lance thought the tall redhead was talking to someone else before realizing her question was directed toward him. She didn’t look familiar and those form-fitting jeans she was sporting told him she’d purchased them recently. The fabric was way too stiff.
“I appreciate the offer, but I have a beer coming this way.”
Lance had been keeping an eye on Brynn, as well as the Schaeffers. Chad had already made his way to his dad’s side to fend off any confrontations. It was Reese that he finally spotted to get him out of this awkward situation. She was carrying three bottles of beer as she made her way back to the pool table.
“We have no statement to make nor comment to give, Ms. Winston,” Noah said in a steel tone that told Lance this woman wasn’t a tourist or a relative of someone in town.
“I wasn’t looking for either,” the redhead stated with sideways glance toward Noah. His assumption annoyed her, but she recovered quickly. “Believe it or not, I’m not working tonight. I was just trying to be friendly like the rest of the folks here in this small town.”
“Friendly went by the wayside when you slanted your last story to suggest that Sophia basically asked to be killed because she wasn’t happy at home. So, we’d appreciate it if you gave us a wide berth tonight.” Reese had arrived, and she certainly wasn’t a fan of the woman. Lance had already deduced that she was with one of the media crews slinking around town from Noah denying her the common courtesy of a greeting. “You don’t know a thing about my family, Charlene, so please keep your distance.”
“I know what it’s like not to be happy with one’s home life.” Charlene shifted her weight on a pair of black pumps that looked to be as new as the jeans she was wearing. Something in her expression told him that she related to Sophia on a deeper level than she’d like, but whatever she’d written or said in the news mustn’t have come across in that manner. “It wasn’t my intention to suggest it was Sophia’s fault she was murdered. It’s obvious she was in the wrong place at the wrong time. I’m just doing my job.”
Lance had no doubt that Reese would have told the woman that she could go and do her job somewhere else, but there was no need. Charlene Winston walked away with her head held high to an occupied table up against the front window. He didn’t recognize them, so he assumed the man she’d joined was either her cameraman or hired security.
“I take it neither one of you are fans of Ms. Winston.” Lance reached for the rack and began collecting the pool balls. “Anyone else I need to watch out for around here? I mean, besides the serial killer we seem to have discovered.”
“Charlene is the only one who’s hung around town on a consistent basis,” Reese responded, having already handed Noah a beer and put the other one on the table they’d claimed next to where they were playing pool. “I’m going back to the bar to talk to Kristen. Did you know she wants to go back to school to be a teacher?”
Noah caught Reese’s elbow before she could walk away, bringing her in close for a kiss and causing her to laugh. His smile said it all, and Lance was somewhat envious at the ease in which his brother had acclimated to civilian life.
“It’s odd, isn’t it?” Lance asked, carefully lifting the rack and stowing it back in place before reaching for his beer. He surveyed the patrons carefully, noting the regular customers from those who were virtually strangers. “How everything has changed, and yet things still seem the same as when we left?”
“It takes a while, Lance.” Noah had been paying attention. Both of them were more aware of their surroundings than they had been back when life had been simple. “Give it time.”
Lance was surprised to find Clayton and Miles deep in conversation while Wes stayed at the bar and Chad resumed his game of darts. Had Rose been right in hiring Wes and Clayton to build more cottages up at the lake, while Miles and Chad restored the existing ones? Would this bring the broken family back together or only cause the rift to widen?
“Who’s playing darts with Chad?” Lance asked, trying to familiarize himself with the changes to the Cavern’s clientele here in Blyth Lake. It also kept the conversation off his relationship with Brynn. “That’s not someone we went to school with, is it?”
Noah didn’t even have to look across the bar to know who Lance was referring to in his inquiry.
“Irish. He bought the garage on the corner of Main and Sixth Street around a year ago.” Noah took the break, sending one of the solids into the side pocket. “I hear he’s pretty good with a wrench.”
“Old man Delaney finally retire?”
“No,” Noah said with a bit of regret. “He up and died from a heart attack.”
“Shit,” Lance muttered with a shake of his head. So many changes. “The evening just took a turn for the worse.”
Lance hadn’t meant to mess up Noah’s shot, but one glimpse of Sheriff Percy as he came strolling through the door had the seven-ball missing the side pocket by at least two inches.
“He’s a stupid, lazy son of a bitch.” Noah stepped away from the table and leaned an elbow on the back of a stool as he settled in to observe the sheriff. Percy joined Chester and Harlan in the booth they were occupying with their wives. “Byron Warner has taken over Percy’s duties as sheriff while the board decides what to do with him. He royally fucked up when he didn’t check on why Deputy Wallace didn’t do his check-in for hours after the beginning of his shift. Hell, it probably cost the man his life. People out here don’t understand rank equals responsibility and not power to do as you please.”
“Dad told me he’s been trying to talk Mitch into running for the position once he gets home.” Lance noticed that Brynn was switching her attention between Miles’ conversation with Clayton and the table Sheriff Percy decided to join. “I think it’s a great idea, but you realize there could be a major obstacle with Mitch following that suggestion.”
“The fact that I found a body in the drywall of my new home, and you found the victim’s picture in yours?” Noah took a long draw of his beer before setting the bottle down with a thud. “Yeah, it’s occurred to me that might be a problem for our big brother. Maybe conflict of interest or something like that. The Kendall name definitely got caught up in this investigation real quick.”
Brynn came out from behind the bar and slowly made her way across the floor. She stopped by a few tables to check on her customers, but it was clear she had a destination in mind. It appeared her final destination was Charlene Winston’s table. Lance was taken aback when Brynn leaned in close to make a very clear point about something important.
What the hell was going on?
“You going to take your turn or are you forfeiting?”
Lance shot an irritated look Noah’s way before starting what was a decent run on his stripes. He cleaned the table and sunk the eight ball before Brynn finished talking to the news anchor. It wasn’t that much of a surprise to see Charlene and her cameraman leave shortly afterward.
“Rack ’em.” Lance laid his cue across the pool table before making his way toward Brynn. She was halfway back to the bar before he caught her. “What was that all about, blondie? Everything okay or is something afoot?”
“All is good now.” Brynn flashed a not-so-innocent smile and patted him on the chest. “I’m just looking out for my own people. Go back to playing pool with your brother, Sherlock. I’ve got to say, Lance, it’s nice having you back around.”
She surprised him once again when she patted his backside and continued to the bar, where Tiny was engaged in conversation with Jeremy Bell. Lance breathed a sigh of relief that the man’s back was toward him, but his respite was short-lived when their gazes clashed in the mirror above the bar.
Tiny had his eye on him. Lance wasn’t getting away with one damned thing.
“Damn it, blondie,” Lance muttered in frustration underneath his breath before turning back toward his brother. He didn’t have to look at Tiny’s hand to see how large his fist was or the fact that just one impact would hurt like hell. “Noah, did I ever tell you that you’re an asshole and a terrible brother?”