Page 120 of D for Dead

What the hell?

She stopped sharp, taking in the shocked faces watching the two of them.

Alan; her sisters, Wendy and Jess; Wendy’s husband, Keith; her mom and dad; Alan’s mom.

Why were they all here? What was going on?

A little dazed she pulled back from Hickok, turned to her family. ‘What the fuck? What are you all doing here?’

Her mother’s face was a picture, while the expressions of those around her were either stony or shocked. Only Jess appeared to find the situation amusing.

The silence seemed to drag on forever, before eventually Sarah Angell found her voice.

‘I think the more appropriate question is, what are you doing, Rebecca?’ She scowled at her daughter, threw a filthy look at Hickok, her gaze dropping to Rebecca’s blouse, hanging undone, her bra on show.

Self-consciously Rebecca covered herself up. She glanced at Alan who had so far remained quiet. The expression on his face was one of humiliation. He had something clenched in his fist, she noted.

‘Alan.’ Lost for words she took a step towards him, flinched when his hand came up and he threw a tiny box at her. As it dropped to the floor he pushed past her, storming out of the

room. His mom followed, giving Rebecca a scathing look. Rebecca glanced at the box on the floor: a ring box.

Oh dear God. He was going to propose. Shit.

She glanced briefly at Hickok, who for once had the decency to look contrite as he discreetly did up his fly.

Her dad and Wendy were shaking their heads, Jess sniggering behind her hand, while Keith looked on embarrassed. Sarah Angell stepped forward; her disappointment clear.

‘Mom?’

‘Save it, Rebecca. Hurry up and get your pants off? Is this how I raised you? What kind of lady are you?’ She turned to Hickok. ‘And you, stay away from my daughter.’

Without another word she stormed from the room.

Rebecca started to go after her. This was on the same level as the couch incident. No, scrub that. This was worse, much worse.

‘Mom!’

A hand grabbed her shoulder.

‘Leave it a while. Let her blow off steam.’

Rebecca turned to her older sister.

‘I can’t believe you’re all here, Jess. Oh my God, how did I not see this coming?’

‘It was Alan and Mom. They’ve been in cahoots for weeks. Alan even stole your ring so he could get it measured.’ Jessica Angell grinned, seeming to find the whole situation highly amusing. ‘I told them this was a bad idea.’ She turned to Hickok, gave him a sly smile. ‘So I’m guessing you’re the FBI guy, right? I’ve heard a lot about you.’

‘Jess!’ Rebecca felt her cheeks flame. Discretion had never been her sister’s strongest quality.

She glanced at Wendy, her middle sister, who was eyeing Hickok with disapproval. She was the good daughter of the family, and the shining example her sisters were supposed to follow. If Sarah Angell had her way, all three of her daughters would be married baby machines, living down the road from each other in Swallow Falls.

‘Well, I hope you’re happy with what you’ve done,’ Wendy snapped.

Hickok turned to Rebecca, ignoring the remark. He looked somewhere between amused and embarrassed.

‘You know what, Angell. Maybe I should just go. Let you catch up with your family.’

‘Catch up with them?’ Rebecca shook her head flustered. He was right, though. It was better if he left. ‘Yes. Just go, Hickok. I’ll see you in the morning.’