Page 202 of Sing with Me

Diehl hadn’t heard that name in a long time. “MacPherson Enterprise went under.”

“Right.” Riley nodded. “But before they did, they sent Parker’s best friend and drinking buddy to loosen up Parker’s lips and tell them how to take over Brooks Investments.”

“Six years,” Dad repeated. “Six years, Riley. You kept the secret from us?”

“They failed, didn’t they?” Riley started to smile now.

“How?” Diehl asked.

“Because I took care of it.”

Dad snorted. “You? You were a recluse for five years.”

“Was I?” Riley drank water—or what looked like water in a goblet. “It took me a few million dollars of money that Parker left me to hunt Bruno down. He had gone into hiding. But I had to know what he made Parker tell him on the boat.”

Diehl and Dad glanced at each other.

“You were the one who brought down MacPherson?” Dad asked.

Diehl could see that Riley’s reputation with Dad had skyrocketed.

“Someone had to do it. He was stealing intellectual properties from Brooks Investments under your noses, and I could not let my husband die in vain.”

“But all those pottery pieces at Sandpiper Gallery…” Dad bleated. “I thought you…”

“I made them. Why? Can’t I have a hobby?” Riley asked. “I prefer plates but these days I just make bowls.”

Diehl smiled. “And here we thought you’re just a stay-at-home mom.”

“That’s my favorite job.” Riley sighed. It was as though the secret was finally out and she was relieved.

Diehl’s bet on Riley seemed to be paying off. “If I am hearing you right, you’re recommending that we sell Brooks Manufacturing.”

Riley nodded. “It does us no good. Each of us needs to find time to spend with our families, right. Ned, don’t you want to see your grandchildren more?”

“And play lots of golf,” Dad said.

“There you go,” Riley said. “After Parker died, I asked myself one question over and over: what could he do with a hundred billion dollars that he couldn’t with ten? His dead body was swallowed up by the ocean. What good are these billions?”

“Same,” Diehl said. “I burned out. I’m not going back there.”

“I propose we sell Brooks Manufacturing. I don’t mind running Brooks Transportation if Ned helps me. I know you want Brooks Properties, Diehl.”

Diehl nodded. “Real estate is where I want to be.”

“Brinley has Brooks Renovations on St. Simon’s. It’s the smallest, but you know what? She is the happiest among us.”

Diehl glanced over to Dad. He was in deep thought.

“Dad?” Diehl asked.

“I’m not asleep.” Dad grinned. “I’m trying to figure out how to make this work.”

As they all waited, Diehl prayed for God’s wisdom. He tried to remember what Skye had prayed the day before on their drive to Athens, but all he could recall was one sentence.

Catch us when we fall.

“Let’s do this,” Dad finally said. “We’ll take a bit of time, think about it, and regroup. Riley, how long are you going to be in Houston?”

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