Page 293 of Property of Whiskey

Royal looks at Twila when we walk in. “Deputy’s back.”

She sets her coffee down. “Miss me?”

Royal grins. “Whiskey did.”

Becki, sitting beside him with one hand resting on the curve of her stomach, sighs. “He’s been waiting all morning to say that.”

Royal looks offended. “Was funny.”

“Was predictable.”

I let them know, “Deputy’s not been out of my sight.” I wink at her.

Twila pulls out the chair beside mine without reacting and starts opening folders before she’s completely settled.

I stare at her.

She catches me. “What?”

Royal leans halfway across the table. “I don’t see a property patch.”

Twila and I both turn.

“Shut the fuck up, Royal.”

Same time.

He looks delighted.

Becki pats his shoulder. “You earned that.”

Legend slaps one palm against the table. “Can we focus before Whiskey murders my brother?”

“Still considering it.”

Royal smiles.

Sophie reaches for the Mercy House deed, and her expression changes almost immediately.

“I’ve seen this foundation.”

Legend looks at her. “Which?”

She taps the donor line. “Montgomery Family Community Fund.”

Twila watches her carefully.

Sophie doesn’t look away from the page. “I already traced money from this fund through two other foundations into Pearly Gates. This is the first time I’ve seen Mercy House attached to the same chain.”

That gets everybody’s attention.

I drag Amos’s older donor sheet closer and compare the dates to Sophie’s printout.

“So the trail didn’t start where we thought. Same pool, same network, just years earlier.”

Sophie nods. “Exactly.”

Royal leans forward. “So her daddy’s money paid for this sick place?”