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Now, I read carefully.
Lester and Yvette Sullivan never had a happy marriage, but it was rather peaceful until his partnership with Clara Marshall. Clara and Yvette became close friends. So close it sparked rumors that their friendship was shattered by infidelity between Lester and Clara.
There were other rumors too. Even more scandalous ones for the time. You know how people were about certain things back then.
And those women certainly were very, very, close.
“Thick as thieves,” you might say.
But hey. People do love to gossip, and gossip isn’t always true.
I lean back, staring across the water. Cold calculations flick through my head.
I’m catching on too slowly, but now it hits me like a train.
There’s never been an uncle with Aunt Clara.
Hell, I don’t recall her ever dating anyone, or talking about a love life at all.
Of course, Deb and I always chalked that up to her being too busy with Inky, and then unexpectedly saddled with two young brats on top of a full-time career dedicated to her art.
On the other hand, she’s never expressed much interest in men at all.
It’s not something I’ve ever thought about. You tend not to think too hard about your parental figure’s love life for the sake of your own sanity.
It’s not that she hates men.
She just seems oblivious to them, minus the stubborn little bastard she’s sculpted into some semblance of a man.
Fuck.
Did she and Yvette Sullivan . . . ?
She won’t tell me, but I know who might.
I grab my phone and tap Deb’s number.
“Well, that was a complete shit show.” She answers without a hello. “How’re you holding up?”
“A particularly smelly one, but that’s not why I’m calling. I need you to take over operations for a bit. I’m going out of town for a couple of days.”
“What? Why? The trial’s coming up! Even if it seems kind of fucking pointless now. We should still be there, shouldn’t we?”
“I’ll be back in time, Deb,” I promise. “I don’t think it’s pointless.”
“Oh no. Idiot brother, what are you planning? Where are you going?”
“Minnesota.”
Long silence.
“What the fuck is in Minnesota?” Deb hisses.
I smile for the first time all day. “I’m not sure yet, but I’m about to find out.”
XXIII
THE SUNNY SIDE OF GLOOM
