Chapter Nine
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“You really can’t think this is a wise move. Brice is no fool. He’s going to ask questions,” Bennett barked over the line.
“He can ask all he wants. I don’t have any answers.”
“My point exactly. He’s not going to ask you. He’ll come to me. I haven’t told him anything that has been going on with you. I’d like to keep it that way so I don’t have to.”
Logan knew one thing about Hendersons: they all had their secrets. Bennett had proven his loyalty to them, but when it came to internal family secrets, he wasn’t sure where he stood. Guess I’m going to find out.
“He won’t have a clue what Cori is up to.”
“And you’re going to pull that off how?”
He hadn’t thought that through entirely. Meeting Brice for a beer wasn’t out of the norm. Bringing a woman with him sure was. Bennett was right. He needed a story. One that Brice wouldn’t question. “I’ll introduce her as my . . . date.”
Bennett’s laughter echoed through the phone. “And you don’t think that wouldn’t be suspicious? If anything that will get the entire family talking.”
“Brice doesn’t care.”
“No, he doesn’t. But he’ll tell Lena, and she’ll tell all the women, who then will plan some event that will require you to bring Cori with you. Can you see how quickly this can spiral out of control? You’d be better telling him the truth, that she’s a reporter.”
“That’s not going to happen.” If it weren’t for Bennett, he wouldn’t know himself.
“Well, you better think of something, because Shaun told Morgan to keep it under wraps. I’m not sure how long she’ll be able to pull that off.”
“That’s perfect. Thanks for reminding me.” He’d tell Brice they met at Morgan’s parents’ house. Not a lie. Not exactly the truth either.
“Logan, I used to think you were the normal one. I don’t anymore. You’re just as fucked up as your brothers. Speaking of which, Shaun is meeting his mother tonight.”
Logan didn’t want to talk about that. He knew exactly where the conversation was going. “That’s nice.” His voice was dry and intentionally without emotion.
“I know this isn’t easy for you. We’ve tried everything to locate your mother. She never returned to Tabiq after having you. At least, not that we can find a record of. And we have been unsuccessful in tracking down anyone in the US that knows what happened either.”
He didn’t need Bennett to tell him his mother wasn’t alive. There was something deep within him, a feeling he couldn’t shake. From the moment he’d learned they each had a different mother, he knew he’d never meet his.
“Quit looking. Some things aren’t meant to be.” I don’t need to know. It was part of the reason why I despised James Henderson so much. He stole everything from me. At least everything worth having.
There was a pause before Bennett spoke again. This time his voice didn’t hold the hardness it normally did. “I wish I could tell you that we’ll find her. Everything leads to a dead end. I’m not ready to give up yet. You shouldn’t be either.”
He had no idea why Bennett was being so stubborn about this. What did it matter to him whether Logan’s mother was dead or alive? He’d found everyone else’s, including Zoey’s. Why couldn’t he just let it go? “Is there something you know that I don’t?”
“There is, but I’m not sure I should tell you.”
He was done playing games. “Does this have to do with my mother or not?”
“It does in a way. What I found out was your mother was related to Zoey and Alex’s mother. She was their first cousin.”
“Okay. Once again what aren’t you telling me?”
“I’m not searching for her just for you, but for Zoey as well.”
That made no sense at all. Zoey had her happy family. Why would it matter to her if his mother was alive or not? ’Cause she’s my sister and wants me happy. “Then explain to her that I’m okay. She doesn’t need to worry about me.”
“It’s not just about your happiness. I’m not supposed to say anything, but she’s been seeing a doctor in New York.”
He hadn’t heard a damn thing about this, and that didn’t please him at all. “What’s going on, Bennett? Don’t leave anything out,” Logan demanded.
“She doesn’t want anyone to know. But they suspect she has lupus. We’ve been trying to obtain medical history on her mother’s side to see if there were any women who may have had any symptoms.”
Lupus? Shit. He knew damn well what that was all about. It wasn’t his field of expertise, but it didn’t have to be. He’d never noticed the typical butterfly rash associated with lupus, and to his knowledge she hadn’t shown the classic symptoms of joint pain or swelling, nor complained of myalgia in her muscles. God, had she had chest pain and never mentioned it to me? Am I that cold-hearted that she didn’t want to talk to me about it? “Why didn’t she tell me?”
“Because she knew she was seeing the best person in that field. And there was nothing you could do to help. She’s a strong woman and filled with pride. Having her brothers hovering around to take care of her would only stress her out.”
“And you left her like that? She’s alone with the baby, and you’re in Tabiq.” Logan was pissed. Thinking of Zoey going through this hurt. He wanted to fix it, but he knew he couldn’t. “Are you positive that is the diagnosis?”
“I’ll talk to Zoey, and if she agrees, I’ll text you the doctor’s information. I personally think it would be good for you to look at the findings. I hope they’re wrong.”
Me too. “Make it happen. I need to know. And let me know what you find out about my mother. If she can be of any help for Zoey, I’ll do whatever you need. Even if that means I go to Tabiq.”
Logan never would’ve gone for himself, but he’d do anything for his sister. He knew that it might not be on her mother’s side. They didn’t know anything about their father’s side either. Being one of the eldest, he could remember his grandmother. She’d been old and sick, and mean as hell. Was it possible she also had the disease? He was going to need to bring the subject of Dad and Grandmother up with Brice. He was the one who knew them both the best. Although I’m sure he’s tried like hell to forget.
That didn’t leave him in a great mood for meeting with Brice and Cori. All it did was add another level of frustration over their family dynamics. No matter how hard they tried to be a normal family, they missed the mark by miles. He was upset that Zoey had been ill and had chosen not to tell them. Logan thought, through these last few years, they’d grown past that type of behavior. But learned behavior was the hardest to break. He should be happy his siblings had found spouses that they could trust and share their lives with.
Guess that leaves me where I’ve always been. Alone.
Cori entered the bar right on time. She already knew what Brice looked like. He was there, but Logan wasn’t. She hesitated. Should she go up and introduce herself? Did Brice know she was coming along? If not, this was about to get awkward.
She lingered by the door not sure what to do. A waitress came over and asked, “Are you waiting for someone or can I get you a table?”
Cori knew what table she needed to be at. In a voice that was loud enough for Brice to hear, she answered, “I’m waiting for my friend, Logan.”
Sure enough, Brice turned in her direction. He gave her a once-over glance then got up from his seat and came toward her. “That wouldn’t be Logan Henderson you’re meeting, is it?”
She smiled. “It is. You must be his brother Brice.”
Brice didn’t acknowledge her outstretched hand. Instead, he said, “Seems you know me, so why don’t I know you?”
If Cori had any question about what Logan might have told Brice, she had her answer. Nothing. That meant she needed to scramble to pull something believable out and also not something that would be questioned later when or if Logan arrived.
“Sorry. Your brother asked me to meet him here after work for a beer. Guess he figured you wouldn’t mind me tagging along.” That wasn’t really any information at all. So whatever Logan decided to tell his brother, it would fit in nicely.
“Well, since Logan is late as usual, why don’t you come and let me buy you a drink, Miss . . .”
“Cordelia Sparks. And that would be lovely, thank you.” She followed him to his table and sat across from him. That meant she couldn’t see the door, but she had faith Logan would show. He better, otherwise, I’m going to go into my interview role, and I won’t be able to stop myself.
She wasn’t sure that was a bad idea anyway. Logan was giving her information, but Brice was the oldest. He probably knew James the best. Of course from what she’d learned, he also was the most reticent. It surprised her that he asked her to wait with him. Maybe he already knows who I am, and I’m the one who’s not up to speed.
Nothing surprised her when it came to the Hendersons. They were difficult people to understand one at a time, never mind trying to handle two of them at the same time. Logan pulled up the seat between her and Brice. Guess I’m about to find out.
“Sorry, I’m late.” Logan leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek.
Cori didn’t expect that. From the look on Brice’s face, neither did he. She was willing to play along if it meant getting answers. Logan signaled the waitress and ordered his beer. She ordered an iced tea. Alcohol wasn’t going to be her friend right now. She needed all her wits to get through this little meeting.
Brice didn’t take his eyes off her as he asked Logan, “So why did you invite me on your date?”
Logan laughed. “If it were a date, you wouldn’t be here. Actually, I wanted your opinion on something.” He pulled out the two photos and handed them to Brice.
“What are these?”
Cori was dying to hear what brilliant story Logan had come up with.
“Cori and I were playing a game last night. It’s one of those solve the mystery games. We couldn’t agree on this one. I figured I could utilize your expertise to see what you thought.”
She was impressed. It was quick thinking. Brice, on the other hand, didn’t seem thrilled about being dragged out to look at pictures for a game. Cori figured she’d break the tension with a bit of humor. “I guess that’s the best he could come up with for a reason to introduce us. Guess that’s why I’m winning the game.” She gave Logan a wink.
It worked because Brice chuckled. “Sounds like my brother. Okay. So let me see if I got this right. You have two photos. One before a fire and one after. You’re supposed to determine what exactly?”
Logan answered. “If it was an accident or not.”
Brice raised a brow. “Just by these two photos?” Logan nodded. “I love a challenge. Okay. This a wine cellar, and it doesn’t look like the fire actually hit the barrels of wine or the racks. However, you do see some fire damage along this side wall.”
“Yes, I saw that too,” Cori stated, trying to keep in the conversation.
“But the bottles are on the ground. What do you suspect, Cordelia?”
She wasn’t going to give the truth. Instead, she was going to play dumb and repeat what the police report said. “I think the heat from the fire caused the bottles to explode.”
It didn’t take long for Brice to disagree. “That’s impossible.”
“Why?” Cori asked. Give me something I can work with.
“If it were the heat, the corks would’ve popped. Look at the bottles. First, the corks are intact. Second, the bottles are on the ground, which tells me they were removed from the racks and either stomped or crushed on purpose. Third, if you look at the floor, it’s covered in wine. Then look at the wall where the fire was. See how the wine covers some of where the fire was, even on the floor. That meant the fire took place first and was extinguished. Then the bottles were destroyed to make it appear that it happened during the fire.”
Cori hadn’t noticed that. She was just going on gut instinct, but it was nice to know someone else viewed this as intentional. But that raised other questions. When did the fire in the cellar take place? It couldn’t have been at the same time as the fire in the vineyard fields or whoever set it would’ve been killed just like her grandpa. But the police report states it was the same time.
She always knew there had been a major cover-up. Now she had proof. Of course, she didn’t have anything that linked James to the fire. One step at a time.
Cori smiled at Brice and said, “I’m glad you’re not playing with us, because I’m sure we would lose.”
“I’m not into games, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like to get to know you a bit better. Logan, why don’t you bring Cori to Sunday brunch at my house?”
She saw Logan smile but knew he wasn’t keen on the idea. That’s too bad. You started it. Cori reached out, covered his hand with hers, and gave him a beaming smile.
He didn’t agree. Instead, he said, “I think Bennett wants to meet me then.”
Brice asked, “Here or in Ta—”
“Off-site,” Logan said quickly.
Cori wanted to know what Brice was about to say when Logan cut him off. Whatever it was, Logan didn’t want her to know. That only made her more inquisitive. Haven’t figured that out about me yet have you, Logan?
Brice finished his beer and got up. “Cordelia, I hope to see you again.” Then he turned to Logan. “We’ll talk later tonight.”
She knew it had to do with whatever Logan was hiding. She should be happy Brice confirmed her suspicions, but now her mind was on overload, telling her the biggest story of her life was hidden in something that started with Ta. And I’ll find out. I don’t give up.
Once alone, Logan said, “Looks like you were right. That fire wasn’t an accident.”
“Now I just need to find out why the police made it look like it was.”
“I have the resources to help with that if you’ll allow me to.”
“Would that be Bennett? Because I thought you said he was . . . off-site.”
Logan shot her a look then turned away. If she had any doubt before that Bennett’s whereabouts was confidential, he just confirmed it. “He’s always accessible.”
“Then let’s see what he can come up with.” And I’ll be doing the same on him.
She did find some comfort in knowing no matter what was going on in Logan’s life he was still there trying to help her. It wasn’t something she was accustomed to. But having someone care is something that could grow on me.
Cori needed to remind herself that once it came out who’d had Joe killed, whatever this was between them would end. They would be standing on opposite sides, and forgiveness was a wall too thick to break through.