Riptide (Sam McRae Mystery #3)

Chapter 32

Junior chose this moment to wander in and cross the room. Still in his blue trunks, sans erection.

"Hi, honey," he mumbled, sinking into the reading chair.

"Hi, stupid."

How delightful.

"I don't get it," I said.

"How do you mean?" Lisa asked.

"It's not like you're showing. You could get an abortion. Or give the child up for adoption. Or are you keeping the child as a matter of principle?"

Lisa smiled. The expression didn't reach her eyes. In fact, it seemed to take effort. She crossed her legs and folded her hands in her lap.

"What we have here is a business arrangement," she said.

"Oh, really?" Bower, Sr., smirked. "Was it business you were conducting when you seduced him?"

"Seduced him? Have you seen that guy go to work? Jesus, Daddy-O, he makes the average rabbit look like a fucking monk."

"How dare you use profanity—"

"Oh, can it! I'll use whatever words I want." Lisa was in high dudgeon. "Remember, my father has agreed to take him off your hands. He's giving him a job in his firm."

Bower, Sr., looked at me. "Fennimore Real Estate is one of the biggest realtors and developers on the Eastern Shore. You could say we have mutually agreeable interests. See, Junior didn't exactly graduate magna cum anything."

"He flunked out," Lisa explained.

Bower grimaced. "Anyway. This opportunity arose for Lisa's father to do me the favor of providing Junior with a job. And Lisa's father is a bit old-fashioned."

"He doesn't believe in abortion," I ventured.

Lisa pouted. "He doesn't believe in giving his daughter free access to money without a husband. In order to tap into my trust fund, I have to marry. Since I succumbed to Junior's charms in a moment of weakness." She actually blushed, then recovered. "Anyhow, looks like I have more than one reason to marry now."

My mind reeled. Yeah, and probably more than one trust fund to bleed.

"Sooo ... " I said. "When's the wedding?"

"In a couple of weeks. A small private ceremony." Lisa smiled, demurely. "Can't wait. Right, hon?"

She'd directed her words to the reading chair, but no response was forthcoming.

"I've told Lisa and Junior I'll cover their honeymoon to Tuscany or the Riviera or Acapulco," Bower, Sr., stated. "A cruise. Whatever they want. When they get back, Junior will start his new job as a real estate agent with Fennimore Realty. A job where he can learn to handle responsibility."

"And make a pile of dough," Lisa added.

Bower Sr., shot me a pained smile. "Junior needs discipline. He needs structure. He needs a guiding hand, a mentor. Fennimore will serve him well in that role. He'll teach him the real estate business, inside and out."

Lisa coughed. "My father and I will provide babysitting services." She snickered again.

Bower's face darkened. He looked sidewise at Lisa, but he didn't argue. "I know I'll be able to count on Lisa to keep Junior straight."

"Oh, I will," Lisa chimed in. "I'll make sure he wears a suit and tie, drag him to all the right parties and keep him from getting arrested."

She turned in her seat and narrowed her eyes at the man in the blue swim trunks shrinking into the corner chair.

"Um, this has been very interesting," I said, struggling to control my gag reflex. "But I still have a few more questions."

Bower folded his hands on the desk and leaned forward, looking expectant. Lisa looked wary. Junior could have been a potted plant.

"Now that Billy Ray is dead, who's next in line to take charge of the poultry business?"

Bower's face took on a ponderous look. He stared at the bookcase behind me. Searching for a title? This stretched on for half a day or so.

"Mr. Bower?" I prompted. "Are you refusing to answer?"

"No. Just thinking about it."

All right. It was personal information, after all. He had no obligation to tell me.

Finally, he unfolded his hands, lifted one and slapped it on the desk blotter. Lisa and I jumped. I think Junior may have twitched a little.

"Forgive my reluctance to tell you personal financial details," Bower said. "But I tend to be very close-mouthed about such things. However, since I have nothing to hide and you are trying to find my stepson's killer, I want to help you. So, unless I change my will, my daughter Marsha will inherit the business."