Page 107 of Ice Princess

“Or a prior arrest?” I drum my fingers on the table. “Murder?”

Chance pats my shoulder. “O-okay, Gunner. I don’t think you’re talking to the right team here. These are labor rights and workplace discrimination lawyers, not private investigators or detectives.”

I gesture to the reports that basically spell out the word ‘angel’. At least in the eyes of the law.

But I know there’s got to be more to Uncle Stewart’s past.

In his smugness, he confirmed to me that the warning I received when I was seven years old wasn’t an exaggeration. If I have any hope of starting a relationship with Rebel, I need to get to the bottom of the mystery first.

The lawyer points to the report. “There are no warrants out for Stewart Kinsey’s arrest. He has a few parking tickets, but nothing above average. Not to mention, his family is well-respected and practically rule the town. We couldn’t find anything in our initial search.”

“Look again,” I snap. “And this time,” I scribble a name on a piece of paper and slide it over, “see if you can find any connection between them.”

“Clarence Kinsey? Who’s that?”

I square my shoulders. “My grandfather’s brother.”

If Uncle Stewart’s past is squeaky clean, that tells me one thing—he’s just a pawn in the game. Which makes sense. He’s far too impatient and clumsy to conceive a plot against anyone. He wasn’t even smart enough to deny my accusations outside the hospital.

A part of me wishes he had.

At least then, I could have run to Rebel and told her how I really feel.

But how can I hold her hand, look in her sky-blue eyes and pretend that I can protect her when my family carries such a dark secret?

The real player moving us around the chest board is someone else. And I bethispapers won’t be as sparkly as Uncle Stewart’s.

“Is this in conjunction with the workplace discrimination case?” the lawyer asks, arching an eyebrow at Chance.

“Do you have a problem with that?” our captain asks tightly. The smile on his lips fools no one.

The attorney swallows. “No, not at all, Mr. McLanely.”

“We’ll look forward to your call.” Chance nods to the door.

I follow him out of the conference room, my boots scuffing on the shiny marble floor. The law firm sits at the top of a tall, opulent building. The vaulted ceilings, giant offices, and impressive view of the downtown area speak of immeasurable wealth.

We pass a wall filled with pictures of the firm’s founders and the current and past associates.

“They’re the best in the business,” Chance tells me as we walk past the wall. “I’m sure they’ll find something.”

I grunt. “Have you noticed?”

“Noticed what?”

“For a legal team that focuses on gender equality and workplace discrimination, they don’t have one female lawyer on the team.”

Chance takes a look at the wall and his face blanches. “I’ll hire a new firm.”

“Do what you want.” I pass him and head into the sunshine.

It’s our last day before we head back to Lucky Falls and I still haven’t done any shopping. Mom nags me if I don’t bring back a souvenir for her, so it’s become a habit of mine.

“How’s your mom doing?” Chance asks, ignoring the whispers that follow in his wake. The fact that no one has stopped to take a picture with him is a small miracle.

“She’s good,” I answer dryly.

Lately, she’s been hinting that Victoria is talking about moving back to the city, as if she expects me to do something about it.

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