Page 89 of Twice Missing
Noah sighed, the weight of old grievances settling on his shoulders. "You know how I feel about him."
"Yeah, I do," Maddie acknowledged. "And at some point, you have to get over it, if only for your sake. Don't let him steal your joy. He has his faults, no different than you and I."
"Yeah, except he tends to hide his," Noah retorted, unable to keep the bitterness from his voice.
Maddie's patience was wearing thin. "He's not a criminal, Noah."
"He's not truthful either."
"I don't give a shit what problems you have with him," Maddie snapped, before lowering her voice and stepping closer. "He's our father, and while he's here, I expect you to treat him with respect."
Noah snorted, but relented. "All right. Just don't put him next to me."
"I haven't," Maddie assured him, turning back to tend to the food.
The doorbell's chime cut through the air, and Maddie shot Noah a meaningful look. "That'll be him. Do you think you could see yourself to opening the door?"
Noah set his drink down, steeling himself for the encounter. "I think I could manage that," he replied.
As he made his way down the corridor towards the glass door, Noah took a deep breath. The weight of unresolved issues and long-held resentments pressed against him, but for Maddie's sake — and perhaps for his own — he was determined to make it through this evening with as much grace as he could muster. His hand hesitated for a moment on the doorknob before he pulled it open.
Noah opened the door to find his father, arms laden with a mountain of brightly wrapped presents. "Merry Christmas!" Hugh exclaimed, his voice muffled behind the packages. "Here, take these. I've got a few more to bring in."Noah juggled the gifts, setting them down inside before his father returned with another load.
"Grab the rest from the trunk, would you?" Hugh asked, gesturing towards the driveway.
Nodding, Noah shrugged on his coat and slipped into his shoes, bracing himself against the blustery winter weather. Outside, snowdrifts had formed, and icy needles of wind made visibility poor. As he approached the idling black car, Noah realized it wasn't his father's. Standing nearby, phone in hand, was none other than Luther Ashford. The smile faded from Noah's face.
Luther cut an imposing figure in his long black trench coat and leather gloves. "What are you doing here?" Noah demanded, his voice tight with tension.
"And Merry Christmas to you," Luther replied smoothly, his tone dripping with false warmth.
Noah's stomach churned. "I said, what are you doing here?"
"Don't worry, I wasn't invited," Luther assured him, his voice oily. "I was merely giving your father a ride." He fixed Noah with a slimy grin, exuding an air of untouchability. But Noah knew better. In a matter of days, Luther would face more scrutiny than ever before.
"Allow me to help," Luther offered, reaching for the presents. Noah quickly stepped between him and the vehicle.
"No need. I can manage."
As Noah gathered the gifts, he could feel Luther's gaze boring into him, like a devil perched on his shoulder. "Youknow," Luther began, his voice deceptively casual, "I received the most disturbing news from my lawyer today."
"I expect you did," Noah replied, unable to keep a note of satisfaction from his voice.
Luther's eyes narrowed. "To think that someone would use our property for such heinous acts. It's quite horrendous."
Noah's brow furrowed. "What are you talking about?"
"Nathan Carter," Luther explained, his voice dripping with false concern. "He rented our resort. We assumed it was for his family, but we've discovered that wasn't the case at all."
Noah's mind raced, considering the implications, the potential loophole Luther might exploit. He knew Luther had the best lawyers in the state on retainer. It wasn't his first rodeo, and he'd managed to distance himself from most accusations. But this... Noah had thought this would be the stumbling block that would finally bring him down.
"Do you really expect me to believe that?" Noah challenged.
Luther bristled, his composure slipping for a moment. "Well, I would assume yes, since you are the lead investigator in the case against Nathan Carter, Sunrise Systems, and those involved in trafficking those poor women." His voice dripped with insincere sympathy.
Noah's jaw clenched. "I know you were behind it. You might be able to pay off lawyers to get you out of tricky situations, but eventually, Luther, you're going to slip up."
"Is that so?" Luther's voice was dangerously soft.
