between Wendall and Steven. What happened?”
“It wasn’t one thing. Steven was ten when his parents divorced. He was very close to his mother. I don’t think Steven and Wendall ever got along. There was abuse in the home.”
So Wendall was violent. That was another tick against him. “What about Steven and Greg?”
“There was no love lost between them either. They’re actually half-brothers. When I filed for divorce, Steven supported me. He was the only one from Greg’s family to do so. We don’t talk often, but we’ve kept in contact over the years.”
Steven sounded like he had his head on straight. That eased some of Jason’s concerns. He followed the GPS instructions to a house under construction. From the size of the structure, it would be a mansion. A pile of bricks sat under a tarp next to a cement truck. Workers in hard hats and dirty jeans unloaded equipment from a black pickup truck. Atkin Construction was written on the side.
“There’s Steven,” Addison said, gesturing to a bulky man in a white hard hat.
Unlike the workers, Steven was dressed in a polo shirt and carried a roll of architectural plans under his arm. His face was clean-shaven, but his work boots were scuffed and worn.
Steven spotted them and headed in their direction. “Addy, hey.” He hugged her, but the embrace was distant and distinctly brotherly. “Nice to see you. It’s been a long time.”
“It has.” Addison touched Jason’s arm. “This is my friend, Jason Gonzalez.”
Steven smiled broadly. “Hey, man, nice to meet you.”
“Likewise.”
Jason shook Steven’s proffered hand. His grip was firm, but not bruising. Everything about the man bled confidence without arrogance.
“Sorry about making y’all drive down here to meet me.” Steven tilted his head toward the unfinished house. “The weatherman is predicting rain for the next few days and we’re on a deadline.”
“It’s not a problem.” Addison smiled. “I’m glad to see your business is doing so well.”
“Thanks, Addy. Now tell me, what’s going on? Your text said it was important.”
Addison quickly ran through the recent attacks. Steven’s brow furrow and his muscles tightened. The plans under his arm became crumpled. Everything about his reaction conveyed surprise and concern, yet something was off. Jason couldn’t put his finger on what though.
“An SUV was seen passing outside my house a few days before the break-in.” Addison showed Steven a photograph. “Do you recognize this vehicle?”
Steven’s expression hardened. “That looks like my dad’s SUV. Addy, I’m sorry. I should’ve called the minute Wendall got out of prison.”
Jason’s spine stiffened. “Wendall was in prison? For what?”
Steven’s gaze shot to the workers. None of them were within earshot. A saw whirred and the repetitive jolt of a nail gun drifted across the construction site. Still, Steven took a step closer and lowered his voice. “Murder. My dad killed the man who was with Greg on the day he died.”
Addison inhaled sharply. “Why didn’t you tell me about this?”
Steven removed his hard hat and swiped at the sweat beading on his brow. “I thought you knew. The murder happened in Austin. I just assumed—”
“You were wrong. I didn’t know Wendall had killed someone. Where is he now?”
“No idea. I haven’t seen or spoken to my dad in nearly six years. Not since he was arrested for killing Greg’s friend. Our relationship wasn’t good to begin with, and then he committed murder. I mean…” He swallowed hard. “I’m ashamed to be related to him.”
Jason could sympathize. Sometimes coping required burying whatever had happened and moving forward as if it didn’t exist. Otherwise, it could drown you.
“When was Wendall released from prison?” he asked.
“Three months ago. He only served six years.” Disgust crossed Steven’s face. “Wendall took a plea deal, and the prosecutor reduced the sentence since the man my father killed was a known drug dealer.”
Jason didn’t like it, but he knew such deals were common. Still, six years for premeditated murder seemed ridiculous. “Why did Wendall kill him?”
“Revenge. He blamed the man for Greg’s death. Greg and this friend were partying, and Greg overdosed. He might’ve survived if the friend had called 911.”
A cold sense of dread washed over Jason. “What about Addison? Does your dad also blame her for Greg’s death?”
“He does.” Steven removed the plans from under his arm and attempted to reshape them. “If you’re asking whether my father could be behind these recent attacks, my answer is a resounding yes.”
Addison trembled. It was faint and Jason only noticed because he was standing so close to her. He placed a