was adopted the same week the lady had a baby. A baby that disappeared and no one knows what happened to it. Or who the father was.”
“We know who Duke’s biological parents are, Carter. It’s not something anyone talks about. But, it’s also not a secret.”
“Who are his parents?” He demands, quiet.
“What’s going on? Why do you care about any of this?”
“Just fucking tell me.” He slams his palms on the counter in a display of anger that I have never seen from him.
It’s not fear that has me taking a step back. I know Carter would never hurt me. His eyes are furious, but not with anger. That’s desperation. There’s something very wrong. I put aside my questions and answer his.
“Duke’s father, the one who raised him had a sister who died in child birth. He was born an orphan. Her husband died in Afghanistan right before she found out she was pregnant. And then, she died having him. So, the Senator took him in. I mean, he’s blood and I only know because my brother told me. But, I don’t think it’s a secret.”
He takes a step back like someone nudged him. His face is pale, his eyes are wide with shock. He looks like I just shattered his dreams.
“Carter, are you okay?” I touch, gently and he jerks away. His eyes look haunted.
“What’s wrong? Why are you so upset? ” My heart is in my throat, and I brace for the answer to my question.
“Do you know what happened in that house?” He asks me in a grave voice.
“Ye- Yes. My best friend, Dina, she’s writing her thesis on Winsome. And that case is one of the things she’s researching.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, she’s writing about corruption and how power thrives on secrets. That poor woman was completely alone when she needed the town’s help. ”
He blinks like I spit in his eye.
“What poor woman?” he asks incredulously.
“The Kendicott lady. Who else are we talking about?” I say and eye him. “You mean the woman who went nuts and shot her husband in the head before she set him on fire?”
I narrow my eyes and take a step away from him. “She went…nuts? Is that a technical term or is that what you call women who’ve decided they’ve had enough of their husband’s shit.”
“Oh, is that how you think people should deal with their unhappy marriages?” he says incredulously.
“Her husband beat her.” I yell back.
He does that blinking thing again.
“What do you mean?”
“She told the police when she turned herself in.”
He scoffs. “Why hasn’t this been reported anywhere? How do you know?”
“It’s in the police report. Dina read it and told me.”
“Why didn’t she tell anyone before?”
“And who would have helped her? People like you?” I push back.
“What does that mean?” His eyes narrow in challenge.
I let out a growl of exasperation. I can’t believe I’m the one on the defensive now.
“It means you’re forgetting that she’s a human being. Was she supposed to spend the rest of her life putting up with that shit? You have no clue. You’re running around living your life. You don’t know what it’s like to not have a fucking choice. Maybe that gun was pointed at her first. Did you think about that?”
“Woah, Beth. Your face is turning red, babe, calm down.” He reaches for my arms. I pull away.
“Don’t tell me to calm down. I don’t want to be calm. You’re talking about a woman who was powerless. I know what it’s like to be completely at the mercy of other people. You better believe I’d do anything to spare myself and the people I love from a life like that.”
I pause to catch a breath and see that I’ve said too much. My stomach dips at the look on Carter’s face.
His expression has shifted from frustration to concerned interest.
“Beth, what did your father do when he found out about us?”
His question is so far out of left field and so unexpected that my pulse reacts like a bullet just went off.
“What?”
“You just said—”
“I’m not sure how it is that I’m the one who explaining myself, when you still haven’t told me what you’re doing with all this stuff.” I point at the papers spread out on the table in front of us. “Or why you care about the Kendicotts and Duke?”
He curses under his breath and looks away from me. “I’m have to tell you something. I’m going to ask you not to repeat it to anyone.” His voice is grave