Page 55 of Tequila Tuesdays

“My daughter, Isabella. She’s been going to school in Seattle, and she comes to visit me sometimes. But she’s living here now.”

Javier led us down the hall to an open living room with enormous floor-to-ceiling glass doors looking out into a lush courtyard with a pool and spa. The beige linen couch could seat maybe twenty people, and the tasteful paintings hanging on the walls looked like they came from an art gallery.

A tall, broad-shouldered man dressed in expensive, casual clothes had his back to the room. He stood with his arms folded looking out at the courtyard. He turned when he heard us walk in. He was probably in his mid to late thirties. He’d broken his nose at some point, and had a scar running across his cheekbone that looked like a skate blade had gotten him.

I absently rubbed the small scar on my own cheekbone. I’d heard about Conner McCoy from a couple of news articles when he’d bought into the new hockey team in Seattle, and also from Martina.

A man lounged on the couch in a relaxed pose. He smirked at us when we walked in, and I assumed he was Noah. His arms were stretched out on the back of the couch, and he’d propped a foot up on the coffee table. He was smaller than Connor and handsome in a vague way.

A small, gorgeous younger woman in her early to mid-twenties sat up straight on the other end of the couch. Her hands rested on her thighs. She was tan and had dark brown hair and startling light brown eyes.

I knew she was Javier’s daughter from her unique eye color. Javier sat down next to her.

Connor came forward, and Damien nodded toward me. “This is Harley. She’s working with me tonight.”

Over the next few minutes, Noah spewed utter bullshit about Isabella using a code to get onto the estate, and somehow breaking into Connor’s home and stealing his valuables.

I stood slightly behind Damien, and I saw Isa glance at Connor with disappointment and vague disgust. She didn’t give Noah a second glance.

Javier finally had enough. “That means you heard Connor’s code too, since you were there,” Isabella didn’t try to defend herself.

I watched Connor’s face and saw sadness and anger creep in when he seemed to realize what his brother had done. I suddenly felt a little sorry for Connor. My sister, Olivia, was my best friend. That kind of betrayal would hurt.

Damien finally ended the discussion. “This will be easy to clear up. There are two backup security cameras in place in case the main system goes down.”

Noah froze. And then he started panicking.

Isa turned to Javier and stood up. “We don’t need to stay for this. Are you ready to go?”

I watched Javier to see what he’d do. He looked sad when he turned to Connor. “Tomorrow morning I’ll be putting in my official notice.” Then he glanced at Damien. “Tell Zeke thank you, for being a cynical bastard.” Then they walked out the front door together. Seeing them made me miss my own dad.

Connor watched them for a moment, then turned to us. “I’ll be right back.”

He strode out the door and caught up with them. It looked like Isa was giving him hell. Noah was a lot less relaxed than when we’d first walked in. He leaned forward, and his leg bounced up and down.

Connor walked back in a few minutes later and turned to Damien. “Do you have access to previous footage before this weekend?”

“Are you really going to listen to her?” Noah cut in. “She’s a lying little cunt.” Both Connor and Damien glared at him.

Damien nodded. “Yes, I can get you footage. If you can narrow down what you’re looking for, that will help.”

“The times Noah has been here when I haven’t. Now let me see the video from Saturday.”

Damien didn’t waste any time. He played a few video clips showing Noah carrying several bags out of Connor’s house to the trunk of one of the five or six cars in the garage. It looked like Noah was whistling in one of the video clips.

Noah sat on the sofa with his head in his hands. “I can explain.”

Everyone ignored him.

“Are you going to involve the police?” Damien asked.

For the first time, Connor faltered. “I don’t know. What do you think?”

Damien looked at me. “Harley’s a criminal defense attorney. She’s not here acting as anyone’s attorney or giving legal advice. But she may have some objective insight.”

Connor straightened and finally turned to me. “What would you do if you were me?”

I didn’t even hesitate. “I’d call the police and report it. I’d also tell Noah if he doesn’t go into rehab and make some meaningful changes in his life, you’re going to cut him out. Then I’d follow through.”

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