Page 75 of Where Secrets Lie

“That’s the other thing I wanted to tell you about. We stillhaven’t found video showing anyone at Hornbrook Finance planning the car bomb or even being aware of it before it went off.”

She shrugged one shoulder. “That could just mean they were careful enough not to record evidence implicating themselves in a murder.”

“It could—but they recorded lots of evidence implicating themselves in other crimes. And we did find video of James Hornbrook hearing about Jess’s death. The first thing he did was order one of his goons to go check his car to make sure it didn’t have a bomb. He still has someone check it every day before he drives home.”

“Huh.” Savannah looked into the middle distance for several seconds. “So you think the killer is still out there?” Her voice held an edge of fear.

He shook his head. “I think the killer is dead or in jail. If Hornbrook is innocent, then the most likely suspects are the smugglers. I’m sure Hope will get to the bottom of it.”

“I’m sure she will.” Savannah’s face brightened. “And I’m thrilled that you got the settlement finalized so fast! I had to tell the trustees about the basics, of course, and they’ve been clamoring for details. I told them they’d get a full report as soon as everything was set in stone, but I couldn’t say more until then. I also made clear that you needed to stay focused on the deal and that I wouldn’t tolerate anyone bugging you.”

He chuckled at the thought of her laying down the law to the trustees. “Thanks. You’re really growing into the role of president.”

“I’m not sure my dad would agree.” She looked at her watch. “He’s actually on his way over now to try to get some answers out of me. He’ll be here any minute.”

As if on cue, Pierre’s muffled voice floated in from the reception area. “She’s expecting me.” A second later, a knock sounded on Savannah’s door.

“Come in,” she called.

The door opened and Pierre appeared, looking like he just walked out of a photo shoot for an executive magazine. He wore a well-tailored gray suit with a red silk tie, and his silver-streaked brown hair was freshly trimmed. “Ah, you’re both here. Excellent. The board is delighted to hear that this whole bankruptcy mess is being taken care of, but we must know more about the particulars.”

Savannah nodded. “Your timing is impeccable, Dad. Hez just finalized the paperwork. This was your brainchild, Hez—why don’t you fill him in?”

Hez described the settlement. He was deliberately vague about what James Hornbrook and his company were getting out of the deal, saying only that TGU had “agreed to protect the confidentiality of certain information.” Pierre cocked his head at that, but he didn’t ask any questions.

When Hez finished, Pierre flashed his perfect teeth in a wide smile. “Excellent work! I couldn’t have negotiated a better outcome myself. So the university is on sound financial footing now?”

Savannah leaned forward. “Better than in decades.”

“Well done, my girl! The trustees will be thrilled.” An eager light gleamed in his eyes. “Then it won’t be a problem to return the funds that were borrowed from my trust, right?”

So that was the real reason he was here. Of course. Hez cleared his throat. “No funds were borrowed from your trust,Pierre. Funds were removed because they were never legally put into the trust in the first place.”

Pierre turned to Savannah. “There’s obviously been a misunderstanding.” He spoke with the demeanor of a senior executive gently reprimanding a subordinate. “The university can afford to clear it up now, and I can assure you the trustees won’t object.”

Savannah met her father’s gaze. “There was no misunderstanding, Dad. That money belongs to the university, and that’s where it will stay.”

The muscles in Pierre’s jaw flexed. “That’s Jess talking! I’m your father, Savannah. I gave my life to this university. I can’t believe you’re going to invoke legal technicalities to rob me of my retirement.”

Savannah’s eyes flashed. “Jess wanted to sue you to get all of the money back. I refused because a messy lawsuit wouldn’t have helped anyone, least of all TGU.” Her expression softened. “I love you, Dad, but I can’t let you steal from the university.”

Pierre’s confidence and polish cracked. “I need that money, Savannah. It’s all I have.”

“I’m sorry, but it’s not your money. If you need help, let me know.”

Pierre stood, drawing himself up to his full height and leaning over Savannah’s desk. “I don’t want your charity. I want what’s rightfully mine, and I’ll get it—one way or another!” He turned on his heel and stalked out without waiting for a response.

Hez got up and closed the door behind his former father-in-law. He turned to Savannah. “I know that wasn’t easy. I’m proud of you.”

She gave a weak smile. “I guess every silver cloud has a dark lining.”

***

There were now three graves for Savannah to tend in the cemetery—her mother’s, her daughter’s, and her sister’s. The scent of fresh dirt lingered in spite of the flowers heaped on Jess’s grave. If Jess had ever thought about it, she probably would have asked to be buried in the Willard part of the cemetery with its unkempt, crumbling headstones. If Savannah had it to do over again, she would have talked to Helen about where to bury Jess.

Jess’s headstone would take some time to be installed, but the name on the temporary marker was one Savannah had never thought to see. Fresh tears hovered closer than she’d like, and she swallowed down the boulder in her throat as she tried to imagine Jess in heaven with Mom and Ella.

Someone had sent roses and the funeral home had heaped them with the rest of the fresh flowers on the grave. It was a kind gesture, but Savannah couldn’t bear the smell. She didn’t think she’d ever get over her aversion to the scent of roses after that moment by the rosebushes in Jess’s front yard when she had to tell Simon his mother was dead. She held her breath as she lifted them off the mounded dirt and tossed them into a nearby ravine so she didn’t have to smell them.

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