Page 47 of Last Date

“It’s awfully coincidental that Elon returns home, and suddenly Allister is killed. I assume the cops will investigate Elon’s alibi for the night Allister was murdered.”

Thomas said. “Of course they will. The whole family will be under suspicion.”

I drank some water, happy I hadn’t had another shot after all. “How did Elon escape?”

“It was in the paper. Didn’t you read the story?”

“No.”

Thomas shrugged. “According to Elon, he thought his parents were his real parents until he overheard them talking one day. Apparently the woman he’d thought was his mother had lost a son, the same age as Elon. She was so distraught, she snatched Elon and raised him as her own.”

“He was five years old when she kidnapped him, but he didn’t know she wasn’t really his mom?”

“He says he has no earlier memories.”

“That’s weird.”

“Yeah.” Thomas sighed. “Maybe trauma made him forget.”

“I guess.” I frowned. “And the lady’s husband didn’t question why a strange five-year-old kid suddenly showed up?”

“Elon said the father was very meek and did whatever his wife wanted. Elon told the newspaper his father resented him, but the woman adored him.”

“Huh.”

“I know. It’s quite a tale.”

“So we’re supposed to believe that Elon overheard them discussing all that, but he didn’t confront them? He just bolted? Doesn’t that strike you as strange?” Maybe if he’d been eight years old or something, I could see him being too confused and scared to confront them. But Elon wasn’t a child. If my math was correct, he was seventeen.

“He said he ran. I don’t know. He must have been traumatized after hearing the truth. He went to the police, and now he’s home.”

I frowned. “And the police still haven’t been able to catch his fake parents?”

Thomas rubbed his chin. “They fled before the authorities could grab them.”

“The FBI couldn’t find them either?” I scowled. “Come on.”

He held up his hands. “Hey, I’m just telling you what the newspaper said.”

“Doesn’t it all sound like a made-for-TV movie? No wonder Allister was suspicious. I’d probably have wanted a DNA test too.”

“Damn. You’re heartless. His long-lost brother returned to the fold, and instead of welcoming him home, he slaps a court order on the kid. Apparently, Mary was outraged at Allister, but Ken was fine with it.”

“I notice Ken isn’t with them tonight. Maybe there’s friction there.”

“Maybe he doesn’t like hanging out with the little people.” Thomas grinned.

“Probably.” I studied Mary, taking in her smooth blonde hair tied in a sleek bun. Even at a distance, she reeked of money. Maybe it was the way she carried herself, as if she was entitled to whatever she wanted. She reminded me a lot of Allister, only colder. “Do you suppose Mary had any idea Allister had a date with a poor slob like me?”

Thomas gave me a funny look. “Does it matter?”

“No. I just wonder if maybe he was embarrassed to date me.”

Squinting, Thomas said, “He asked you out right in front of this restaurant. He sent you a huge bouquet of flowers for everyone to see.”

“True.”

“The Greens aren’t any better than you, bro. They’re just richer.”