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I nearly choked on air. “Wife ofwho?”
“Cain Smith. The man I’m looking for.”
“Uh, no. I’m not his wife at all. I’m his ... boss, technically. What can I do for you? Are you trying to place an order for eggs or something?”
“No,” he said, but was interrupted by the sound of a vehicle coming down the driveway. This one I knew. It was Cain’s white truck.
He pulled in behind my car and got out in seconds. “Who the hell are you?” he asked.
The man turned, but his eyes weren’t on Cain. They were on the small child in the back of the truck. “There he is! Eric! Come here!”
Eric’s eyes went wide, and he ducked in the back seat.
“I’m gonna ask again,” Cain said dangerously. “Who are you, and how the hell do you know the kid’s name?”
“I’m Waldren. Have you heard of me?”
“No.”
He frowned. “I knew your sister.”
“You probably knew her more than I did. We were separated when we were young.”
“So then, how did you come to be the guardian of her son?”
“I was the only family member around.”
“Wrong.” The man crossed his arms. “I am. He’smyson.”
Cain’s entire body went rigid. I probably shouldn’t have been witnessing this, but it was like drama on reality TV. I couldn’t look away.
“Then where were you when Olivia died?”
“None of your business.”
“And I’m supposed to just take your word for it?”
Waldren laughed. “Come on. He looks just like me.”
“Do you have functioning eyes?” I asked.
Both men turned to me. “Stay out of this, honey.”
“Don’t call me that,” I snapped. “And I can get into whatever the hell I want to.”
“You’re not on his birth certificate,” Cain said slowly. “Which I have.”
“Yeah, it’s one last slight from thatwhore.”
“Watch it,” Cain said. “That’s my sister you’re talking about.”
“And gross. You could have said so many other things,” I added.
“It doesn’t matter. It’s not like she’s here to say anything back.”
“No, but I am,” Cain replied. “And you’re not welcome here.”
“I’m getting my kid.”