Page 44

Ace

“Two dead bodies were found, one floating along the output of Fiasco Falls, and the other by the old tobacco farm,” the governor says, loud enough that it stops Grant in his tracks as he walks out to the porch.

Fuck . He passes me a glass and lingers as the governor carries on.

I hadn’t expected a call from Governor Hawkins so quickly.

I’m not sure if it’s telling, or if he’s trying to sniff out if I can offer him some information. It was presumptuous of him to call me.

“I’m not really sure why this is my problem, Governor.

I shared my idea to open up the caverns and hire more folks in parks and rec.

If the mayor didn’t do the second part, that’s a fairly big oversight.

Quite frankly, it’s a little jarring knowing the intent was to boost tourism, and now there’re people getting hurt because there aren’t the proper hires or signage about safety.

The tobacco farm, well...” I pause. I’m not sure how to spin that one, so I settle on, “That place should have been torn down years ago. Again, this is probably a call for the mayor, not me.”

“The FBI brought it to my attention, which means this isn’t simply people falling into a river, Foxx.

” I’m waiting for him to share the details that I already know.

“I have media calling me, asking for a statement.” I know who those bodies are, but does he?

He would have been in their company at least once.

Maybe more. But his tone feels more like he’s asking if I have an ear to the ground about it.

He doesn’t need to know it’s far more than that.

“Governor, I agree this isn’t the kind of attention Fiasco wants, by any means, but again, I’m not sure what you’re looking for from me?”

“They’re unidentified bodies. The FBI wouldn’t share. Even if I asked, they look at me cross-eyed for the limited funding I had from Wheeler fucking Finch more than a decade ago. I’m asking you if this is something that I should be concerned about happening again.”

I stay silent. Maybe the governor isn’t as embroiled any longer.

Maybe the disaster that has become of Finch & King shook him the same way it has everyone else.

“I think bad things have a way of surfacing, eventually. Whoever those bodies are tied to, I’m sure that’ll surface too.

But if you’re asking me any more than that, I can’t help you. ”

He swears under his breath and says, “Appreciate that, Ace. Speak soon.” Then the line goes dead.

I clear my throat and glance up at my brother, who’s now sitting casually on his porch, listening in. He invited me over for a late dinner. Laney and Hadley are working tonight, so it was a good excuse to spend time with him.

Grant folds his arms over his chest and just stares back at me. “Is this something that falls into those gray areas we don’t talk about?” he asks as we move inside, both taking a seat in his living room.

I rub along the back of my neck. “This is me trying to figure out if my trust has been misplaced.” Leaning back, I glance at the time. “I promise I’ll tell you everything when I’m able.”

He nods once. That’s enough for him. And hell, I respect him for giving me the space to not have to explain more when I’m not ready yet.

“I can tell you that Del is at his wit’s end with the FBI field office trying to interject.

They’re scrambling, trying to tie the bodies to Wheeler.

But that asshole has an ankle bracelet and hasn’t left his home in months.

I swear to god, most of the bad shit that lingers here has to do with him, though. ”

There’s truth in that, just not in the way he’s assuming.

“I still don’t understand how he’s on house arrest and not at Montgomery Correctional.”

I always enjoy listening to Grant get fired up about things. It beats the shell of a man he was before Laney.

“Expensive lawyers and likely favors that will never be repaid, or ones that were owed,” I say in response.

I don’t need to bitch about the loopholes Wheeler scurried through to remain in Fiasco.

It isn’t a question of if he had anything to do with the threats that Hadley’s received.

I now know that he sent people after his own daughter, considering he wasn’t getting what he wanted.

I’m still working through how I can make that hurt in a way he never sees coming.

“Brought something for you to try,” I tell him, pulling out a bottle from my private reserve.

I wanted to share it with him and Lincoln—hear what they have to say about it.

Enjoy it together instead of trying to make it about the bourbon business.

I’m ready for them to see that I’m still good at this—making and recognizing great bourbon.

I want them to see that I’m more than just the suit and numbers.

He takes a small sip, allowing the alcohol to burn his palate so that on the next sip, he’ll taste the hidden notes.

I can tell he likes it by his body language.

His shoulders settle and the side of his mouth tips up when he pulls back the glass.

That, and the instant change in conversation when he says, “You have a wife.” Smiling now, he shakes his head.

I exhale, thinking about her. “I do.”

“And it’s Hadley.”

I smile to myself before I confirm it. “It is.”

He flashes a smile and then combs his fingers through his mustache.

“You look like Griz with that thing.” I point to my upper lip, mimicking where it has grown in thicker.

“Laney likes it,” he says with a shrug, his smile turning into a smirk. “She’s the boss. I’ll do pretty much anything that makes her smile and eager to get naked. This, for some reason, accomplishes both.”

I take another look at my phone to check the time. It’s late, and regardless of her job, there have been too many threats lately to ignore the fact that Hadley left my messages unread.

ACE

Are you staying at the Midnight Proof apartment tonight?

She hasn’t done that yet. She always comes home, but it’s a possibility.

ACE

It’s late and the bar should have closed well over an hour ago.

When I look back up at him, he’s watching me.

He’s been doing it for years—assessing my social cues and making sure I’m okay.

He’s the only one who asks every now and then if I’m alright.

I don’t need it, but I appreciate it anyway.

“You’ve been taking care of all of us since we were kids, Ace. It’s ’bout time you got your happy.”

I send her another text as I smile at my brother and say, “What makes you think I haven’t been happy?”

ACE

I’m coming down there if you don’t answer me.

Grant lets out a clipped laugh. “You’re more of an asshole than I am most of the time—happy is not the adjective I’d ever assign to your natural state.”

SUGAR

Don’t.

She never uses one-word answers. And my gut is telling me that something feels off.

When I look up, my brother’s examining the color of his glass of bourbon. “This is good. Is it single barrel?”

I nod.

He hums, and then takes another sip. “How long?”

It’s been a long time since I shared a bourbon I made. “About six years on that one.”

“It’s different. Not sure what that after-bite might be...”

“I smoked out the barrel. I let it rest and charred it again before I added the white dog. Wanted to see if it’d hold the added smoked flavor.” I take another sip, recognizing the notes he was appreciating. “I was right. It did,” I say proudly.

With his eyebrows kicked up to his hairline, he says, “You tried something new, then?”

I did. “Griz has a way of getting under my skin. He’s been telling me to take more risks for years. He just thought I wasn’t listening.”

“Well...” He polishes off what’s in his glass. “You got married, and now you’re finding ways to bend the rules of bourbon. I’d say he did more than just get under your skin.”

Julep gets up from the floor and sits with her tail wagging by the door a minute before it swings wide open.

Grant smiles as Laney waltzes inside. “Julep, my best girl in the world!” she laughs out, then notices me.

“Hey, Ace, what are you doing here? You’re lucky I didn’t strip as I entered—Grant’s been rocking that mustache lately.

” Raising her hand next to her mouth, she whisper-shouts, “I’m feral for it. ”

“Honey,” Grant says, his voice low.

“Yeah, cowboy?”

He crooks his finger at her.

I try to hide my smile. “Alright.” Knowing it’s time for me to go, I glance at my brother. “Grant, dinner was good. Appreciate the company, as always.” I nod to him. “Let’s keep that blend between us for now.”

Laney plucks the freshly poured bourbon from Grant’s hands. “This smells delish.”

I look toward the front windows, waiting to see headlights, or at least the roar of a very loud engine. “I didn’t hear the Mustang come flying down the road. Is she still working?”

“Your wife?” she hums, giving me a knowing look.

“It was quiet tonight. A lot of locals, not too many faces I didn’t recognize.

” She glances at the bourbon she just drank, and then brings her attention back to me.

“I like this. And she was still there when I left—” Laney leans against the top of the couch, looking like she wants to say more.

I’ve known her for long enough now to know that Laney rarely holds back.

I glance at Grant, and then back at her. “What am I missing? What aren’t you telling me?”

“Gossip. A few people were talking about a little confrontation at Loni’s today with the fire chief. He got loud about her being married all of a sudden. Then there were lots of questions about you and her from the town busybodies. When I came in, she was...upset.”

That’s all it takes for me to slide my shoes back on and head for the door. “Is she alright?”

“You know Hadley,” she says thoughtfully. “She’ll tell you she’s good even when she isn’t.”