Page 69 of In Cold Blood

He waved him off with a mouthful of drink.

“Don’t let him drink too much,” Ray muttered before heading out. Noah looked out and watched him walk right past Callie and Aaron without saying anything. He breathed in deeply then released it slowly.

“So? Are you going to reconsider sticking around?” Hugh asked.

“This doesn’t change anything. I’m still leaving after the weekend.”

Hugh snorted. “Then I guess I’ll be seeing you at my funeral.” He walked out back to continue to work on the steaks. Noahhad a good mind to leave but instead, he stayed. He wasn’t sure if it was because he was genuinely worried for his father, or interested to hear what his loose lips might say now that he had a few drinks in him.

Noah scooped up the manila folder to see what else the cops had so far.

18

“Thanks for the ride, sis,” Noah said, eyeing his side mirror to see if anyone was following. He’d told his sister to take a longer, different route just in case. At least that way he could monitor if anyone was tailing them. The car wound its way through the dark, heavily forested mountains, its headlights cutting through the thick mist that clung to the trees. Maddie drove the narrow, winding back roads with a skill developed over years of living in the Adirondacks.

“Ah, don’t mention it. How often do I get to have my big brother back or see Axel?”

She smiled, glancing in her rearview mirror at the dog in the back.

He was panting. He leaned forward and licked the side of her face.

Maddie laughed and reached back to rub his jowls.

The rental company wasn’t going to be able to get one of their tow trucks out there until the following day and the local company they worked with wouldn’t be open until nine in the morning, so he’d called Maddie. His oversized truck was blocking the way, which was a blessing as it gave him a reason tolegitimately turn down his father’s offer to use one of his vehicles.

Her black Lexus snaked around the dark roads as a heavy mist fell over the town.

“Did you have a chance to see the kids yet?”

“Saturday.”

“So, Lena finally picked up?”

“No. I saw her today… and her fella.”

“Oh.” She nodded slowly. “Aiden.”

“You should have just told me.”

“Didn’t want to upset you.”

“It’s been two years, Madeline. Lena and I are adults. We’ve moved on,” he said, glancing out. He caught his reflection in the window as rain trailed down the outside, his thoughts pondering how he truly felt.

“Have you?” she asked, eyeing him in amusement.

He cut his sister a sideways glance. “Of course. Yes,” he answered, a smile lingering at the corner of his mouth.

“So, it didn’t bother you in the slightest?”

“Being a pastor. A little. Him. No.”

She chuckled. Noah had always had a good relationship with his sister. She was outspoken like him. A person who liked to pave her own path. She’d looked up to the three of them because they shielded her from the brunt of their father’s mood swings.

“Speaking of relationships. Who was the uh… tattooed guy at the funeral?”

“Oh. That’s right. I didn’t introduce you. I’m sorry.”

“It’s all right. We’ve had a lot on our minds.”