Precedent: Book Three: Covenant of Trust Series by Paula Wiseman Read Free Book Online Page A

said sharply, his voice rising. “You’re upset, and you’re trying to find some way to deal with it, but Brad’s death was an accident.”
    “ Of course,” Shannon said, rolling her eyes. “Poor Jack could never do anything wrong. He’s had such a hard life. His mother was crazy—”
    “ What?”
    “ Dad, you’ve always made excuses for Jack. It’s like—”
    “ We’ve never expected any less of Jack than we have from you.”
    “ Whatever,” she muttered.
    “ Give me an example.”
    “ I am not arguing with a lawyer. Thanks anyway.” She leaned back against the headboard. “Brad was innocent. If it wasn’t for somebody else, he’d still be here.”
    “ What about the guy with the gun? How can you ignore him and just blame your brother?”
    “ That guy was not after Brad. Jack put Brad in that position. And he knows it was his fault! Why do you think he’s avoided us for three days?”
    “ Grief.”
    “ Guilt. And you let him ride home with Uncle Gavin.”
    “ That’s . . . This is ridiculous. I don’t want to hear any more about this.” He pointed directly at Shannon, his jaw set. “You don’t mention this to your mother, and you lay off Jack.”
    “ You’re mad because you know I’m right.”
    “ I’m not mad, and you’re absolutely wrong. I’m going to overlook your disrespect because of the circumstances, but we don’t need this undercurrent running through our family. I’m not going to put up with it.” Shannon glared at him but said nothing. “Good night,” he said at last, leaving her alone in her room.
     
    * * *
     
    “ So what’s going on?” Bobbi asked when Chuck returned to their bedroom.
    “ Nothing,” he said, untying his tie. “Teenager stuff.”
    “ Look me in the eyes and tell me that.”
    “ Both kids have very strong emotions right now. It will all blow over, and I don’t think you should worry about it.”
    “ Shannon is blaming Jack for this, isn’t she?”
    Chuck smiled and sat on the bed beside his wife. “Do they know you can do that?”
    “ No, it’s my secret weapon. I’m right?”
    “ Completely. How’d you know?”
    “ Shannon is cut from the same fabric as Brad, Rita, and my mother. Somebody has to be responsible. There has to be someone to blame, someone to punish. Remember how Brad was after your affair? He just wanted you to pay.”
    “ Yeah . . . and Jack is all too ready to take that blame.”
    “ It’s a dangerous combination.”
    “ So what do we do?”
    “ Reassure him. Let her vent. Keep telling her it’s not Jack’s fault, but she’ll have to come to that realization by herself.”
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 5
    Erosion
     
     
    Friday, June 20
     
    Bobbi sat out on the deck as the late afternoon sun lengthened the shadows creeping across the backyard. In a long, strange week, the four of them rarely passed each other. Chuck coped by staying busy, so he spent the week settling Brad’s affairs. He closed Brad’s bank account, scheduled the utilities to be shut off at the end of the month and terminated his lease. Today he was at the apartment again, sorting through Brad’s personal things.
    Shannon and Jack kept to themselves, making few appearances outside their respective bedrooms. Bobbi encouraged them to do something, anything, but she found it difficult to take her own advice. Her only accomplishment for the day was throwing out all the remaining food well-meaning friends and family had dropped off.
    Joel stopped by daily, usually with Abby and Ryan. Rita and Gavin called or visited and the Dillards checked in a couple of times. Bobbi appreciated their concern, but the visits were so awkward for all of them. She hoped everyone would get the sympathy out of their systems soon.
    “ Mom?” Shannon pushed the sliding door closed and took the deck chair next to her. “It’s hot out. Wouldn’t you rather be inside?”
    Bobbi shook her head. “I was starting to feel trapped, you know?”
    “ Exactly. If it’s