Page 10 of The Smart Killer (High Peaks Murder, Mystery and Crime Thrillers #4)

“You know, the next time you show up. Phone me before you let yourself in. Alicia stays here from time to time. She could have been taking a shower.”

“Ah,” Hugh said, leaning against the doorway’s frame. “Back with the old flame. I’m glad Lena is not here to see it.”

Tiredness got the better of Noah, and he whirled around. “I beg your pardon?”

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic. You know what I meant. The history between you three. It seems ironic that you have gone full circle back to her.”

“Lena’s gone. We were already divorced. And my business is my business.”

“I think it’s a little more than business, son.” He chuckled, glancing over the to-do list on the wall. Noah tightened his jaw.

“Busy schedule,” he said, setting his beer bottle down. “Where are the kids?”

“At Gretchen’s. She’s having them for dinner this evening.”

“Again? Will Ethan be there?”

“Why do you ask?”

Hugh roamed the room, his gaze washing over the walls. He picked up different décor items, turned his nose up, and set them back down. “It’s just he’s been coming to my place lately.”

“He has?”

Hugh jumped on Noah’s confession of confusion. “Don’t act surprised. I am his grandfather, after all. He needs a strong male figure in his life, Noah.”

“Could you be any more condescending?”

Hugh laughed. “Another. Is that better?”

Noah shook his head.

“He’s growing up fast, Noah. If you don’t keep track of them, they can land themselves in hot water really fast. Like the way Mia did.”

“She learned from that.”

“A hard lesson.”

“You know, Dad, I’m exhausted. I worked a night shift and most of today, so if…”

“I heard from Ray you are working an arson case. That right?” he asked, walking past Noah. Noah groaned.

“I am,” he said, fishing out some cold leftover chili from the fridge. He scooped it into a bowl and slipped it into the microwave. While it hummed, he turned back to his father.

“If there is anything I can assist with, just let me know.”

“Appreciate that.”

“I might be retired, Noah, but I’m still useful.”

It was natural to feel that way. The reality was most got bored when they finally got the chance to kick back and enjoy what they’d worked so many years for.

His father was no different. Yet, in his case, his father was overcompensating for his mind slowly slipping away.

He’d been able to hide it fairly well over the past few years, at least, that’s what Ray and Maddie had said, but it was becoming more evident.

“Did I tell you that I’ve had a new security system installed in the house?

It’s a whole new upgrade. Smart design. I hardly have to think about things anymore.

It does it all. Even reminds me when to take my pills.

Courtesy of the Ashfords, of course. They’ve been placing them in a lot of the new builds.

He figured I would appreciate it, what with me becoming more absent-minded. ”

“That’s great, Dad. Really good to hear.”

At the sound of gravel crunching outside, they both turned their heads.

“That’s probably Gretchen now,” Hugh said.

Through the door sidelights, Noah spotted the green F-150. “Nope. It’s Alicia.”

“Ah, finally get the chance to talk to her. Kind of elusive, this gal of yours. You should bring her over for supper this Sunday. That’s another reason I swung by. I want all the family there. Now that I’m settled, I think it would be good.”

“If I have the time.”

“Make the time,” Hugh said firmly as the door opened.

“Oh, I didn’t know you were having company.”

“Ms. Michaels.”

“Mr. Sutherland.”

“Oh, goodness. Call me Hugh,” he said, smiling at Noah before he leaned in and hugged her. Alicia’s eyes widened over his shoulder, her gaze on Noah. He shrugged.

“I was just telling Noah here that we will be having supper Sunday at my house like we have done before. You must come.”

The way Hugh said it, made it sound more like a demand than an invite.

“I would love that. Thank you,”

Hugh smiled at them both. “Well, I should get going. Leave you two lovebirds to it. Remember, Noah. Sunday. Be there,” he said, pointing at him before letting himself out through the rear sliding door. Noah watched as he ambled toward the lake, where a large motorboat was moored.

“I swear that man moved into my old place just so he could be across the lake from me.”

Alicia tossed a work bag down. “You’re overthinking it, Noah. He’s getting old. It’s natural to want family around.”

“Well, that’s the thing. For the longest time, he hasn’t considered me family.”

“People change. Look at us,” Alicia said, sidling up beside him, wrapping an arm around his back, and leaning in to kiss him. She squeezed his ass. “Well? Kids don’t come back for another hour. We’ve got the house to ourselves.”

“Tempting. Really,” he said. “But I am exhausted. I haven’t slept since yesterday evening.”

“Oh? Okay,” she said, breaking away.

Noah noted her frown. “Alicia. I want to. I do, but…”

She waved him off. “You don’t need to explain. It’s probably best. I need to take a shower. I’ve got a meeting this evening. Fish and Game have some new educational video they want us to review.” She rolled her eyes, then chuckled before unbuttoning her shirt and ambling off to the shower.

As Noah glanced back at the sound of his father’s boat engine starting up, a text came in from Ethan’s teacher. On the way home, he’d sent one to ask if Ethan had been attending all his classes.

Her response was clear.

“He hasn’t missed one.”

Noah had to wonder if Ethan had learned from his sister’s mistakes or maybe his fear of his son using drugs weren’t unfounded, just well covered up, like the fire.