Page 196 of Ice Princess

I stare unseeingly at my locker and grunt, “What does that mean?”

“It means we have motive andopportunity. Clarence had unauthorized access to the document before it was submitted for probate. I requested the security tapes from the city council and went through hours of footage. A few hours ago, I found a video of Uncle Clancy entering the file room after hours. There’s no camera inside the room, but it’s enough to bring this matter to the light.”

“Where are you heading now?” I grab clothes and start dressing. It’s tricky since I’m still dripping wet, but I don’t care. I hold the phone with my cheek and my shoulder. “I’ll meet you.”

“This is police business. I’ll bring in Uncle Clarence. Tell Rebel to stay at the garage. Right now, he and Stewart are probably panicking. Desperate people do desperate things, and I don’t want the situation to escalate.”

“Dad.” I blurt.

He pauses.

I swallow hard. “Are you… going to be okay...?”

Okay arresting your own family?

Okay losing your good name?

Okay giving up the farm?

“Son,” my dad says in a grave voice, “there comes a moment in every father’s life when he realizes what kind of human being he raised.” He pauses. “Because of you, I can say I raised a good one.”

Something odd lodges in my throat.

“Your grandfather started out with nothing. We can do the same. The Kinseys are more than their money.”

I rub my chest to stave off the burning there. “Stay safe.”

Dad hangs up and my hand falls to my side.

“Everything okay?” Watson asks.

Renthrow’s observing me too, his arms folded over his chest.

For once, Theilan isn’t cracking jokes or grinning mischievously.

I grunt.

“What does that mean?” Theilan whispers.

While they discuss amongst each other, I send Rebel a text.

ME:Hey, are you still at the garage?

I take big, loping strides to the exits when Chance grabs my shoulder. Behind him, Renthrow, Theilan and Watson are standing close.

“Do you need backup?” Chance asks.

I look at my team members. Their eyes are set, arms tense, bodies braced for action. This entire week, they’ve been watching over Rebel and her mom and accompanying me on stakeouts while asking no questions.

A realization comes to me at that moment. I might get kicked out of the Kinsey clan after this, but I know that I’ll still have a family.

“I’ve got it.” I take a moment to look at each of their faces. “Thank you.”

Chance steps back.

Renthrow turns away with a small smile.

Theilan looks shocked. “Did he just… smile at us?”

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