Page 22 of Inevitable Secrets

“Be that as it may—”

“Listen, Mrs. Fletcher, I came here out of courtesy to personally inform you that we have caught the assailant and closed this investigation.”

“But what if you have missed something?” Taylor demanded.

“Nothing was missed. The shooter is dead. The case is closed,” Chief Pompas spit out. He fit his hat back on his head forcefully. “Good night to you,” he said and turned on his heel.

Charlie looked at her completely befuddled. “Taylor, what’s going on? I thought you would be thrilled that they had solved this case.”

“I just don’t believe he could have done this! Richard Tappen is, uh, was—”

“Completely hostile to you when you took over and bucked every decision you made every chance he could,” Todd cut in and reminded her.

“Yes I know, but he was coming around—”

“Taylor, they have closed the case,” Todd answered bluntly.

“I freaking know that,Todd,” Taylor said, now enraged, “but that doesn’t mean they have the right guy!”

“Taylor, I think you may be too upset that you didn’t see this in him, that maybe you thought he was coming over to your side so to speak,” Charlie offered gently.

“No, that isn’t it. There is no way—”

“Taylor, you have had a long day. I am going to escort you and Derrick upstairs now,” Henry cut in.

Taylor was certain her skin was sizzling by this point. They were all talking to her as if she were delusional, and she was about ready to burst.

“Henry, I don’t need to be carted away like a child having a tantrum,” Taylor said through her teeth.

“No, but Mr. Fletcher looks as though he needs some rest,” Henry informed her nonchalantly.

It was then that Taylor turned to find Derrick nearly asleep in his chair. “Oh my God, you’re right, Henry,” she said. “Derrick, babe, I’m so sorry! Let’s get you upstairs.”

“Huh? No, I’m okay,” he said feigning alertness, but he allowed Taylor to easily lead him away.

Six

Taylor had been sobusy trying to prove her point about Tappen that she hadn’t noticed that Detective Watts had stopped and spoken with Henry on his way out of the Fletcher Mansion. Nor did she see that he and Henry had exited together. But Derrick had. She also hadn’t noticed when Derrick checked his phone to find a text message from Henry that said he needed Derrick to get Taylor to make her way upstairs.

And so he used his recent health issue, as well as what he was sure were superb acting skills, to get Taylor to take him to his childhood bedroom. When they got there, Henry was waiting in the hallway and opened the door quickly for them.

Taylor thanked Henry as she helped Derrick to the bed. Henry shut the door behind him.

“I need to speak with you both,” he announced once Taylor seemed to have Derrick settled.

Taylor’s shoulders dropped in defeat. “Jesus Christ, what now?” she asked, her voice conveying that she was totally ready for another bomb to drop and that she wasn’t looking forward to the boom.

Henry held up his hand. “It’s okay, it’s nothing like earlier,” he promised. “I was just speaking to Detective Watts.”

“Ugh, that guy is a douche canoe,” Taylor moaned.

“Douche canoe?” Derrick asked.

“Yes, a douche canoe.”

Derrick nodded. “Douche canoe,” he repeated. “I like it.”

“Anyway,” Henry interjected, “that douche canoe brought some things to my attention.”

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