Page 45 of Murder Notes

“We have a man who confessed, Lilah. If we get Woods, we win. If this connects to another case that you’re looking to solve, you win with us. We all look good. It’s not difficult. Don’t make it that way.”

“If we get him? Or if he’s guilty?”

“Why would he confess if he didn’t do it?” he challenges.

“Why indeed, Father?” I challenge, and with that I turn and head for the door, grabbing my coat and purse. I reach for the knob, only to hear, “Lilah,” in his most authoritative, fatherly voice.

I stop but I don’t turn, several silent, heavy beats passing before he says, “Family first, daughter. Always. Don’t forget that.”

My spine stiffens at the use of my mother’s words, no doubt chosen to manipulate me, and unless I’m stupid, and I’m not stupid, there’s a distinct inference that I might need to look the other way to prove my loyalty to him. I don’t bother to reply. I open the door and leave, pulling the door shut behind me, and for several beats I stand on the porch, a chime singing in the wind, seeming to replay his words, my mother’s words: Family first. And I wonder if he’ll still feel that way when he discovers just how “difficult” I’m about to become.

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

I’m hurrying away from my family home, digging my keys from my purse in the process, a motion detector casting the driveway in a glow of light, when I hear my damn name again. “Lilah!”

At the sound of Andrew’s voice, I keep walking and click the locks on the rental. I mean, what’s a sister for if not to ignore her brother? I reach for the door to open it, but I’m too late. Andrew’s big-ass damn body is now beside me, and it’s blocking my entry. And since he’s here and being as difficult as I’m accused of being, I rotate and blast him with a question that suddenly hits me. “Where’s your BMW?”

“I traded it for a Porsche.”

“Okay, smart-ass,” I snap. “Where’s your Porsche?”

“In the garage where all Porsches should be.”

“And Eddie and Alexandra’s vehicle?”

“Already in the garage when I got here.”

“Why are they even here?” I demand.

“I had no idea you didn’t know about Alexandra and Eddie, but I should have known, since you don’t know how to pick up the damn phone. And Eddie’s been at every family dinner for a decade. You know that.”

“You and Dad both knew I wouldn’t want him here.”

“I don’t make Dad’s guest list,” he says. “You know that, too.”

“Fine. Let’s move on. Tell me you aren’t considering making Woods a fall guy.”

“Do you really think that of me? Come on, Lilah.”

“I don’t know what to think after everything that’s happened.”

“Everything that’s happened? What does that even mean, Lilah?”

“The stunt Eddie pulled at the diner. Dad’s secret political aspirations. The suicide announcement at the press conference. Some random guy and a confession that you didn’t call me about earlier. I can probably go on. Do you want me to try?”

“At the risk of repeating myself, since you aren’t listening, here we go: Woods is simply a suspect I can’t ignore. Eddie is simply territorial. I tried to call you about Dad, but you don’t take my fucking calls. You didn’t show up to the press conference, and I had my hands full with press and locals all day. And finally, I never said suicide—”

“You inferred it.”

“You weren’t there.”

“How do you know I didn’t watch it?”

“Did you?”

“You inferred it,” I repeat.

“I inferred all options were open for consideration, as is the case with all investigations, and come on. You know the beasts that are the Hollywood and big-money types in this town when they panic. You know I need to manage that. Now, what else is your problem?”