Page 22 of Christmas Homecoming Secrets
“Do you know a man by the name of Frank Shipman?”
She frowned. “Sounds familiar, but I can’t place him.”
Bryce pulled out his phone, tapped the screen, then turned it so the woman could see it. “That’s him. The woman on his left is his fiancée.”
Mrs. Swift studied the photo while she continued to shred the tissue, not seeming to notice—or care—that she was making a pile of white on the floor between her feet. “I think I’ve seen him before.”
“Where?”
“At the diner. He and Tony were having coffee one morning. I clean the bank across the street and I’d locked my keys in the car. When I called Tony, he told me he was at the diner, so I walked over there to get Tony’s keys.”
“And Tony didn’t say why they were meeting?”
She shook her head. “But I got the feeling he wasn’t happy with your friend. As I was walking out, I heard him say something like, ‘Stay out of things that don’t concern you. It could be dangerous for your health.’”
Jade shot a glance at Bryce. “That’s basically what he told us this morning right before the shooting.”
“Which means he got shot because you were nosing around.”
“Again, no. If he got shot, it was because he was involved in something he shouldn’t have been.” She paused. “If he was the target.”
“Mrs. Swift?”
Jade turned at the new voice to find a woman in scrubs and a surgical cap standing behind them.
Tony’s wife stood. “Yes. Is he okay?”
“I’m Dr. Grey. It was touch and go for a while there, but right now your husband’s stable. He’ll be in the ICU for tonight at least. I’m not going to sugarcoat it. A scant inch more to the left and that bullet would have hit his heart.”
She gasped and paled. Jade placed a hand on her arm. “But it didn’t.”
“No, it didn’t. You’re right. Should he make it through the night, he’ll have a long road to recovery ahead of him.”
Mrs. Swift nodded. “Thank you.”
“Someone will be out to let you know when you can come back to see him.”
The doctor left, and Jade turned back to the woman. “Can you think of anything else? Any other connection between your husband and Frank Shipman.”
“No. Nothing.”
“If you think of anything, will you call?” Jade held out her card.
Mrs. Swift took it. “Yeah, sure. Excuse me.” She walked toward the restrooms, and Bryce turned to Jade.
“Now what?” he asked.
“I’m not quite ready to leave yet. Do you mind if we go down to the cafeteria and talk for a bit? I’ve got some questions for you.”
He followed her down to the restaurant, where she ordered a coffee. Bryce did the same and they found a table.
Jade took a sip and tried to find the words that had been burning a hole in her tongue ever since she’d seen Bryce in the old mill. But first… “I shouldn’t have jumped on you about the whole responsibility thing. I’m sorry.” She drew in a deep breath. “If having children isn’t something you want to do, then I shouldn’t make digs about it.” And she shouldn’t, but trying to tell him about Mia was wearing on her. However, she needed to know more about his feelings in order to see if there was a chance that he might change his mind. She’d feel much better about revealing his status as Mia’s father if he was even on the fence about having children. But if he stayed adamantly opposed… “Tell me why you don’t want kids, Bryce. I don’t think I’ve ever actually asked.” A pang of remorse hit her. She’d just assumed that he didn’t want them interfering with his life plans. But maybe it was more than that.
“Mostly because of my parents. My father in particular. He’s so controlling and cold. I never felt like he loved me—or Kristy.” He swallowed and looked away. “It was almost like hecouldn’t. And I just… I just… I can’t take a chance on being the same way with a child of my own.”
“I remember how he was. I guess I just don’t understand what makes you think you’d be anything like that when you don’t have one ounce of his temperament.” She paused. “And Kristy doesn’t seem to have any issues when it comes to loving her children.”
He rubbed a hand over his head. “Trust me, I’ve noticed that. Now, what other questions do you have for me?”
