Page 220 of Remiss
“I’ll think about how to approach Christopher. In the meantime, Kendall might find a way to pull it all together for us.”
“What is the main thing she’s looking for?”
“Thatmylife isn’t on the line. If it’s a guarantee I’ll survive, everything else can be worked out.”
“And bygones will be bygones?”
“It depends on what else Bash wants. You want peace and I want peace. What doeshewant?”
“Money. His fair share—”
“Kendall and Diesel are the attorneys. They work out the deals.”
“What about Brooks Redding?”
Meggie shrugged.
“And his wife? Charlotte?”
At the odd question, Diesel straightened. “How do you know Charlotte?”
“I’ve heard of her.” Celia waved a dismissive hand. “Don’t remember where.”
“Charlotte and Kendall are really close,” Meggie said, studying Celia closely. “She and I are…frenemies.”
“That bitch is too old for that,” Celia grumbled.
Meggie smiled. “We’re closer than we once were.”
“Is she trustworthy?”
The question turned over in Meggie’s head. Something was amiss. She couldn’t help but wonder what had Charlotte done to get on Celia’s radar. That probably meant she’d gotten into Bash’s crosshairs as well.
“Charlotte can be a little overzealous. However, if she’s contacted you or…or Bash, ignore whatever she says. Don’t hurt her. Brooks and Kendall would be so devastated. I would be too. As I said, we’ve had our problems, but I don’t want her dead.”
“I like you, Meggie,” Celia said quietly.
“And I like you.”
“You have a beautiful family. Your boys love you very much.”
“Hopefully, you can meet Rebel before you return to Virginia.”
“I’d like that.” Sadness washed over Celia’s face. “I have three living children and one that was killed.”
Lowering her lashes, Meggie clasped her hands in her lap. “I’m so sorry.”
“I always thought…it doesn’t matter. It was one of Daddy’s women.” Tears spiked her lashes and she sniffled. “I’m sorry. After all these years, it still hurts.”
“You had a suspect in mind?” Meggie asked carefully. Christopher always said she couldn’t lie, but she had to pull out her reserves and rely on the same wherewithal that allowed her to keep another secret for so many years. “I couldn’t imagine—”
“I always thought it was Christopher’s mother,” Celia said quietly. “Daddy said it wouldn’t bring my daughter back if I knew the truth.”
“He was right.”
Celia met Meggie’s gaze and smiled. “I bet you never thought you’d say Cee Cee was right about anything.”
“Humans are complicated, Celia. Cee Cee frightened me, but he was loyal to my father. He paid to keep Christopher alive. For that I’m grateful to him.”
