Page 70 of Secret Baby for Mr. Grump

You could literally hear a pin drop.

Again, I could feel eyes on me.

Athena and I shared a look, and I shrugged at her. She frowned and then went straight to the counter.

“Hey, Cal,” she said, gesturing behind him. “We need some wrenches and a claw hammer. You got some of that?”

“Sure thing,” Cal said, but he was watching me closely when he said it.

Athena raised her eyebrow at Cal. “Is there a reason you’re staring at my sister like that?”

Cal wasn’t a shy man and didn’t have the decency to blush or even avert his gaze.

“You know, there have been some funny rumors about you going around town,” he said. “That you’ve been shacking up with that Peters kid. The one who killed Old Man Clancy.”

“He’s not a kid anymore,” I said, annoyed. “And he didn’t kill anyone. So what about it?”

“You testified for him all those years ago. People are saying you lied so he could get away with murder.”

Anxiety spiraled through me, and dread sank into my stomach.

I laughed, but even I could hear the nerves in it. “Wait, you think I lied on oath to get him off?” The fact that I did was beside the point.

“Well, he did get away with murder,” Cal said unrepentantly.

“He’s not a murderer,” I repeated firmly.

“I don’t know about that. Plenty of people here think he did.”

“Well, plenty of people are stupid,” Athena snapped, surprising me by coming to Marcus’ defense. “And maybe people should spend less time speculating and more time minding their own business. Or maybe, I dunno, trying to find the real killer. So, if you don’t mind, can you give us what we came for so we can get the heck out of here or what?”

My sister’s blatant abrasiveness was enough to cow Cal into silent compliance. We awkwardly finished up the shopping trip, but I couldn’t wipe the thought of what he said.

I told Marcus about the incident once I got home, but he didn’t look surprised.

He held me for some time, and when he pulled back, I could see the anger burning in his eyes. “They’re trying to shift the anger to you since they can’t get to me.”

His hand reached out to caress my cheek, and he murmured, “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry about me. I’m not hurt.”

His gaze told me he knew I was lying, but he didn’t say anything else about it.

“Dad?” It was Caleb’s quiet voice coming from upstairs.

I saw joy instantly fill Marcus’ face as he answered, “Yes?”

“Can you come?”

“Of course.” Marcus headed up the stairs, and I decided to give them the moment together, even though I wanted to know what was going on too.

While he was gone, Marcus’ phone began to ring.

I grabbed it, and the caller ID said Sean. I didn’t want to interrupt whatever was going on between Marcus and my son, so I put the phone to my ear to ask if Sean could call back in five minutes.

But, of course, I didn’t get the chance.

“Hey, boss. Just wanted to let you know that Darryl won’t be a problem anymore. He’s dead. The inheritance is all yours.”

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