Reed (Book 2, Southern Royals Saga)

Chapter 17: Truth Vs. Lies

"You're positive?"

Liam killed Charles. Not Will, the man we've suspected for a long time now.

Anthony shrugged, "Maybe... That's why we need to get into that safe, so we can know for sure."

"Okay," I agree, "but I can't ask Liv."

"Why?"

"Why?!" I echo in astonishment, "She didn't want to give me the safe in the first place, you really think she's gonna fork over the combo?"

"What of her sister?" Anthony asks, "Or Abby? One of them must know."

"If they do, they're not forthcoming."

As I say that my phone begins to vibrate in my pocket.

"It's Liv." Anthony nods for me to answer it.

"Hey. You okay?"

"I'm fine, uhm..." She sounded nervous. "Can my sister, Abby, and I come over for a bit?"

She didn't have to ask. "Sure. You sure you're okay?"

"Yeah... I think I know how to open Nana's safe."

"Well, get over here," I urge, "But, be careful, okay?"

"Alright. I love you."

"I love you." I hang up and turn to my uncle.

"Liv's comin', she says she knows how to open the safe."

I'd never seen my uncle smile so wide.

~

I spotted Liv's truck pulling up my drive quarter after 5, all three Walker girls in a row.

I meet her as she hops out of the cab and pull her into my arms.

"Did you miss me?" She laughs into my neck.

"Not really," I say nonchalantly, placing a kiss on her forehead.

Abby was uncharacteristically quiet as she slid out on Liv's side.

"Noah here?" she asked.

"Yeah, he and Owen just got back from a late lunch."

Abby breathed out in relief.

It was clear she only felt safe with Noah around, which showed how much their relationship had blossomed in such a short time.

I hope it'll last.

My arms moved around Liv's waist, "How'd y'all figure it out?"

All three girls were silent as they glanced at each other.

I brushed off the feeling of mistrust, "Never mind. The how doesn't matter."

I led them up the driveway, and up the porch steps.

Liz had just gotten home from her office in town, Reed & Smith Interior Designs; it wasn't but 2-3 days a week that she went into the office, and towards the winter months, it was even less.

Anthony had Liz tucked comfortably into his side as she sipped a cup of tea, watching the 5 o'clock news, as cool as a cucumber.

Owen sat in the armchair next to them, reading the paper he had picked up from Bony's; said he had taken and trashed all except the one he wanted to read.

Paul Watson was front and center all over Alabama, from Selma to Athens, the missing deputy was in everyone's prayers for a "safe return".

Every word of that is utter bullshit.