Part 15 (1/2)
Devon picked up on the odd note in James's voice. ”Am I missing something? Is Mr. Rhodes a problem in some way?”
”Phil? The only problem is getting him to go home. He's a die-hard workhorse. It's just that I never viewed us as lucky to have him on board. I doubt he has, either. He's been with us for so long, he's like family.”
”In that case, maybe your grandfather will appoint him the new CEO.”
A short, derisive laugh. ”Not that much like family. No, my grandfather would never let a non-Pierson head up the company. Technically, my father's next in line for the CEO spot. I doubt he wants it. Not that it would matter if he did. My grandfather's long since decreed that it'll be Blake who takes over the throne. This will just accelerate his ascension.”
”Does that bother you? You're older, right?”
”I've got two years on Blake. But, no, it doesn't faze me in the least. I've got zero desire to run Grandfather's empire. I've got a different legacy to fulfill.”
”Capturing the Olympic gold.”
”You got it.”
”I think it's great that you and your father are both so accepting about Blake becoming Pierson & Company's head honcho.” Devon pursed her lips thoughtfully. ”But, as you said, you're family. Philip Rhodes isn't; not really. You'll reap the long-term benefits of Blake's leaders.h.i.+p. He won't. Is he really that magnanimous? I know I'd hate working my tail off if I knew there was a dead end at the finish line.”
James stopped chewing. ”This is starting to feel like an interrogation.”
Mentally, Devon kicked herself. Too pushy. Too obvious. Time for damage control.
She launched into the speech she'd prepared if something like this happened.
”Sorry.” A rueful smile. ”Force of habit. My dad's a retired cop. I guess being nosy is in my blood.” She stared at the tablecloth. ”And I admit there's a part of me that is interrogating you. I want to know who killed your uncle. I want him behind bars. I miss my mother. I'm scared for her. I want this nightmare to be over. I want my mother home, safe and sound.”
Her ploy must have worked, because James covered her hand with his. ”I understand. Everyone's focusing on what a horrible time this is for my family. Well, it's a pretty horrible one for yours, too. Your mother's out there somewhere. You must be a mess.”
”I am.”
”What can I do to help?”
”You're doing it now, just offering your support. And forgiving me for grilling you.”
”No forgiveness is necessary. And, for the record, if I had any idea who did this to Frederick, I'd offer the SOB up on a platter. Frederick and I had different styles - G.o.d knows, we didn't always see eye to eye - but he was my uncle. I get sick when I think about how he died.”
Devon wasn't letting that admission go without a try. ”Different styles?” she repeated quizzically. ”Why, was he closed-minded, or overly conventional?” She rushed on, determined to keep the harmonious moment from disintegrating back into wariness. ”I'm not interrogating, not this time. My question is strictly personal. Your uncle was dating my mother - seriously enough for her to go away with him for a weekend. That's not something she'd do lightly. I guess I need to feel as if I knew him.”
”I suppose I can understand that.” James didn't release her hand. ”Frederick was a workaholic. When I said we didn't see eye to eye, it was because we handle things differently. I combine work and play. Frederick is - was - all about work. He's as serious as a heart attack. Our goals are the same. I just enjoy the means as well as the end.”
”Meaning you wine and dine the players.”
A grin. ”Smart girl. It's a winning combination, at least for me. Sales is all about people. Win their hearts, and their wallets will follow.”
”People.” Devon's lips curved. ”Why do I get the distinct feeling that most of those people were women?”
”Because, like I said, you're a smart girl.”
”And Frederick didn't approve?”
”Let's just say he wasn't a big fan of living on the edge. Then again, he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. He answered to my grandfather. That couldn't have been fun.”
”Especially if your methods were more successful than his.” Devon processed that and continued. ”Was your grandfather upset by the way you went about doing things?”
”He was happy as a clam. I won over the accounts. That trumped all else. And if you're asking if Grandfather would blast Frederick if he was p.i.s.sed off at me, the answer is no. My grandfather's not a subtle guy. If he was p.i.s.sed at me, he'd call me in and read me the riot act - right to my face.”
”Where did Philip Rhodes fit in? He must have been caught in the middle.”
”Not really. Philip liked seeing profits rise. Plus, he was tight with my grandfather. So things were copacetic.”
”It sounds as if your uncle was a hard guy to get along with. Were any of the accounts put off by him?”
One brow rose. ”Back to interrogating?”
”Fis.h.i.+ng is more like it. If you could think of anyone who had an ax to grind with Frederick...”
”I would have given his name to the cops,” James finished. ”They have a complete list of family, friends, and business a.s.sociates, along with notes about their specific relations.h.i.+ps with Frederick.”
”I guess.” Devon lowered her gaze.
”Devon.” James's grip on her hand tightened. ”I know you're eager to have your mother home. But the cops will figure this out. Unless your father beats them to it.” A pause. ”You did know he was working at Pierson, didn't you?”
Devon had to give him credit. He'd turned the tables in a hurry. Now it was his turn to test her.
She nodded. ”Yes, I knew. I was Monty's ride up to the farm yesterday. He was in there too long just to be rehas.h.i.+ng what your grandfather already knew. So I quizzed him about the meeting on our drive home. All I got out of him was that he'd taken a security job at Pierson & Company. No surprise that he wouldn't elaborate. He never discusses his cases. But given the circ.u.mstances, I'd have to be an idiot not to figure it out.”
”You're no idiot. Then again, neither is your father. We spoke for a chunk of time this morning. He's a sharp guy.”
”I know. I'm glad he's working this case - not only for your family's sake, but for mine. We're worried sick about our mother.”
”I met your sister, Meredith, when I picked you up. Any other siblings?”
”An older brother, Lane. He's thirty-two. Merry's almost twenty-one. We're all holding on to one another to get through this.”
”What about your father? Does he factor into this family support system?”
My, James was interested in Monty. ”Not really,” she stated flatly.
”So you're not close with him?”
”No one's close with Monty. His work is his life. Always was. Always will be. In this situation, that's good. He'll find your uncle's killer. You'll have closure. And we'll have my mother back. In the meantime, I can't stop myself from asking questions. It's all I can do - and I have to do something.”
James studied her for a long moment. Then he brought her fingers to his lips. ”You're a fascinating package. Independent and self-a.s.sured one minute, sensitive and vulnerable the next. The most intriguing woman I've met in a long time.”
Devon wondered how many women had heard that particular speech.
”I sound like a Tootsie Pop,” she responded drily. ”Hard on the outside, soft and chewy on the inside.”