Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 111986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 111986 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 560(@200wpm)___ 448(@250wpm)___ 373(@300wpm)
“Whereas you cut your losses and moved on.”
Daniel shrugged. “Yeah, I guess you could put it that way. Look, I didn’t want the kid to go down Talia’s road. He’s been through enough, considering what his human mother did. So I told them they should just let him stay with Linda and Wyatt. Besides, if my parents had really wanted him, they’d have taken him when he was a baby.”
For a moment, Knox said nothing. “They knew about him?”
Daniel seemed surprised by the question. “Oh yeah. My mother was there for his birth. She pressured Talia to switch him for a human baby. It didn’t take much pressure, but it was still a shitty thing to do.”
Knox exchanged a look with Keenan. “Why do you think they wanted him now, Daniel?”
“Because they were all about appearances. It would have looked bad to others if they hadn’t tried to take him in. They wouldn’t have wanted a black mark from society.”
Knox could easily believe that. “Is there anyone who may be upset with your parents?”
“Linda Sanders, but I don’t believe she did it. Linda came to the house, trying to pay my parents to back off and let her keep McCauley. They refused, but it didn’t lead to a major row or anything.”
Frowning, Keenan spoke. “I was under the impression that things were going well.”
“They were,” said Daniel. “Everybody seemed to be working together for McCauley’s sake. But then Linda came here Thursday night and declared that she and Wyatt were taking McCauley away for the weekend to Florida, so my parents would have to miss their scheduled visit with him. My mother said she’d never begrudge McCauley a trip but that she didn’t appreciate Linda giving them such short notice. Linda seemed… disappointed by the response, as if she’d hoped to draw my mother into an argument – Pamela Winters wasn’t a woman who was easily riled.”
“When did Linda offer her money?” asked Knox.
“As she was leaving. She was almost at the front door, and then she just turned and said she’d give Pamela forty grand if she’d agree to stay away from him.”
Keenan whistled. “Linda meant business.”
“My mother was pissed, but she didn’t raise her voice. She just turned down Linda’s offer and ordered her to leave. Linda apologized for offending her, said she just wanted what was best for McCauley, and then she left.” He paused. “Like I said, I don’t think Linda hurt them. My mom was a judge and she got a lot of hate mail. It was probably someone who was either pissed at her for sentencing someone they loved or it was someone who wanted revenge because she sent them to prison.”
After a moment, Knox nodded. “Thank you for answering our questions. If you need anything, let me know. Take care, Daniel.”
“He’s right, you know,” said Keenan as they walked back to the Bentley, where Levi waited. “The attack was most likely related to one of Pamela’s cases.”
“Most likely,” agreed Knox. It made the most sense, after all. But he couldn’t bring himself to fully believe it. “Let’s get back to my mate.”
Back at the mansion, Knox found her in the living room, watching some kind of quiz show. She slowly stood and walked straight to him. He curled his arms around her. “Before I answer your questions, what did the doctor say?”
“He did the tests,” she said. “Everything came back normal. Now what happened?” Harper’s eyes widened as he told her about the murders. “Hell. Do you think it could have been McCauley?”
Knox grimaced. “I’m not sure it’s something he could have physically done.”
“He could have enhanced strength like my cousin. Or he could have somehow mind-fucked someone into doing it for him. Its seems weird that he would, though. I mean, Keenan told you earlier that his visits with Pamela and Rupert had gone just fine. I suppose the demon could have still been pissed at them for not taking McCauley in as a baby. It’s not their fault that they hadn’t known about him, but our inner demons often see things in black and white.”
Knox rubbed her back. “It turns out that they did know about him.” He relayed his conversation with Daniel.
“Well, shit. That’s definitely a reason for McCauley and his demon to be pissed at them. Are you going to at least talk to him about it?”
“Yes, but he’s in Florida right now. Linda and Wyatt took him there for the weekend. That means I can’t talk to any of them face to face until Sunday.”
“Someone will notify them about the deaths, so we can’t monitor how they react to the news,” she pointed out.
Knox arched a brow. “We?”
“Yes, we,” she insisted. “By Sunday, we’ll have announced the pregnancy, so it won’t be a problem if they see me. They won’t be there for the announcement, but they’ll still hear about it from someone.” She propped her chin on his chest. “We can’t keep it a secret any longer, Knox.”