Page 39 of Haystacks and Hoaxes

If anything, his expression grew more resigned. He actually believed what he was telling her!

She flew to her mother’s defense. “I know my mom has issues, but murder? No way, Deck! Absolutely no way!” It was her mom they were discussing, for pity’s sake! The woman who’d given birth to her and raised her. It was true that Carla Kingston got on her last nerve every time she opened her mouth with her unfiltered opinions, pettiness, temper tantrums, and paranoia. Through all of her messed-up-ness, however, Mila had never doubted her love. If anything, her mother’s pettiness and paranoia stemmed from her unhealthy fear of losing her only child the way she’d lost Mila’s father.

“I’m more sorry than you’ll ever know, Mila.” Regret edged Decker’s voice. “But forensics don’t lie.”

“Maybe the so-called evidence was planted.” Mila knew how unreasonable she sounded, but she was desperate. “Maybe she’s being set up.”

“Set up for what?” He spread his hands helplessly. “This is the same woman who never told you about your inheritance. The same woman who let you scrimp along without health insurance, while the fortune that was rightfully yours was only an arm’s length away.” His jaw hardened as he continued, “The same woman who begged her in-laws to take the trusteeship off her hands when your dad died. And you.”

No! No, no, no, no, no!Lightheadedness made Mila sway in bed. All the fears and doubts from her childhood crept back. All the feelings that most kids go through when they get in trouble, then jump to the ridiculous conclusion that their parents don’t want them anymore. “Why would she do a thing like that?” Why would any parent do something like that? If what Decker had said was true, it verified Mila’s most morbid suspicions — that her mother had never wanted her.

“She was young and grieving,” her brother explained gently. “And your father was a single dad when she married him. It’s not that she didn’t want you. My dad was very quick to make that clear. She just figured his family had more right to you than she did.”

Because she’d suddenly found herself saddled with an infant to raise alone! Mila shook her head in distress. So many things about her childhood suddenly made more sense, and not in a good way. However, it still didn’t make her flighty, paranoid, perennially agitated mother a criminal. “I know it looks bad for her,” she choked, “but shemust’ve had her reasons.” The only alternative conclusion was unthinkable! There was no way anyone was going to convince her that the woman who’d raised her wanted her dead.

Decker took a seat on the edge of her mattress. “You do realize that if you were no longer in the picture, every penny of your inheritance would go to your stepmother?”

Don’t call her that!Mila shook her head frenziedly, feeling like she’d lost something very dear and very precious. Angry tears spilled down her cheeks. “No!” Her heart was having a very hard time getting on board with what he was suggesting.

Rock, who’d remained silent during the exchange, pushed out of the vinyl chair beside her bed and stomped toward the window. There was a restlessness in him, an agitation that she felt all the way to her soul. Despite the numbness spreading through her, she didn’t miss the fact that it was the second time she’d seen him walk without the help of his cane.

Decker reached for her hand, but she shook off his touch. “I-I can’t. I’m sorry.” Her previous excitement about coming to work for him felt like it had been stomped into the dirt. By him. He was the one who’d insisted on having their parents’ home searched without a warrant, and he was all too accepting of their mother’s pending arrest.

Out of nowhere, an idea slammed into her. Maybe she was grasping at straws, but so be it. “My mom couldn’t have done this, Deck. She wasn’t even in the country when the bomb went off or…or…” Her words dwindled to silence at his expression of abject misery.

Her words hadn’t swayed his opinion one bit in her mother’s favor. “It’s possible she was working with an accomplice, Mila. There’s an APB out for the guy posing asPat, the maintenance guy. We need to prepare ourselves for the worst.”

She felt her insides coming unraveled. “Deck, please don’t do this,” she whispered.

“I’m sorry.” His own eyes grew damp. “As hard as this is to hear, I told the police it would be better if you heard it from me. Be as angry as you need to be. At me. At the world. It’s okay. Just know that I’m angry, too. I can’t stand the thought of anyone trying to hurt my sister.”

“Your sister?” Her voice rose shrilly. They both knew she had no family left in this world. “If my mother goes to jail, then your dad will surely…”Divorce my mom.She finished the sentence inside her head.

“He’ll still be your dad,” Decker insisted in a voice thick with emotion, “and I’ll still be your brother. Family is about more than biology, Mila.”

It was the last thing she’d expected him to say. She stared at him, overwhelmed by the strangest mix of fury and gratitude.

“I love you, Mila.” He pinched the bridge of his nose, looking like he was struggling to remain in control. “Chanel loves you. Gwen loves you. Our Golden Doodles love you.”

His words made more tears spill down her cheeks. “I love you, too,” she sobbed. “That’s why I’m so m-mad at you right now!”

He abruptly leaned closer to gather her in his arms.

At first, she pummeled him with her fists — weakly, of course. There was very little fight left in her. Then she collapsed against his broad chest, thankful she didn’t have to face what was coming alone.

Chapter 7: Ex Factor

Christmas Eve

Rock felt like he was working two full-time jobs in the final days leading up to Christmas. He continued to assist with the oil equipment robbery case during the day. Afterward, he drove to Decker Kingston’s home to keep Mila in the loop about everything. Their debriefing sessions inevitably took most of the evening and resulted in an invitation to join them for dinner.

Christmas Eve was no exception. He sent Hawk home early, then texted his brother like he always did.

I’ll be home late. Pulling guard at the Kingstons.

With the danger surrounding Mila right now, it only felt right to keep his brother informed of his whereabouts. Plus, he didn’t want Gage holding dinner for him.

His brother’s response flashed on his cell phone screen seconds later.

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