Or was this more personal for him? Was he worried about me finding something that would incriminate him or someone close to him?
“My granddaddy started this firm sixty years ago. It’s a family business, and everyone that works here is part of that family, whether you’re blood or not. Once you walk through those doors, you’re one of us.”
I wasn’t sure if he was describing Olive Garden or the mob.
“I know that you didn’t have much in the way of family growing up. It must’ve been hard, just you and your mama for so long. I don’t think I’m talking out of school when I say your mama wasn’t exactly June Cleaver.”
I could feel my eye twitch at the mention of my mother, but I hoped it wasn’t noticeable. Abernathy was doing his best to push my buttons, and the last thing I wanted was for him to know it was working.
“From what I hear, she was more like Peg Bundy.”
He was obviously letting me know that he’d done his homework when it came to my background. For all I knew, he’d spoken to my mother. The question was why? Why was he making sure I knew that?
My mind was swimming with questions when there was a sharp knock on my door. I glanced up and saw Daisy standing in my doorway. She was wearing the same sour expression that she always did when she spoke to me. It looked like she’d just sucked on a lemon as she spit out, “Your two o’clock is here.”
“Thank you.” I smiled sweetly. “I’ll be right with them.”
Abernathy waited for Daisy to leave before he rapped his knuckles on my desk twice. “Better get to it. We don’t want to keep our clients waiting, do we?”
His condescending tone was like nails on a chalkboard. Fortunately, I’d had my fair share of dealing with pompous assholes. I kept my smile in place, not allowing him the satisfaction of knowing his subtle dig had gotten under my skin.
He pushed off of my desk and his mouth turned up in what could only be described as his best politician’s smile. He hovered above me, staring down at me with nothing behind his eyes. Attorneys were often accused of having no soul, no conscience, but this was the first time I’d actually seen it. “I’m glad we had this little chat. I hope we understand each other, Miss York.”
I stood up, wanting to reclaim my space and show him that I was not so easily intimidated. I smiled widely. “Thank you so much for stopping by, Mr. Abernathy. It was nice getting to know you.”
As we stood, squaring off face to face, the tiny hairs on the back of my neck stood up. There was something dangerous behind his cold stare. But I managed not to let my grin slip until after he strode out of my office.
The minute he was out of sight I pressed my hand to my stomach and let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
If there was one thing I was certain of now, it was that there definitely was something to find in that police report. There must be, because that was quite a show that Abernathy had just put on.
Billy hadn’t opened the report this morning. He said that he was going to call a family meeting and do it then. I was going to be seeing him after work because Cheyenne had invited me to his house, where she was making dinner. I wanted to text him about what had just happened, but I thought it was best to talk about it in person.
“Miss York?” A couple stood at the door that I assumed must be Mr. and Mrs. Lamont, my two o’clock.
Daisy must have told them to come on back.
“Come in. Can I get you anything? Water? Tea? Coffee?”
“A tea would be lovely,” Mrs. Lamont said as she took a seat across from me.
I pressed the intercom button. “Daisy, please get Mrs. Lamont a tea.”
Her only response was an irritated huff that I heard from the hallway. I knew there was no point in mentioning her behavior to Mr. Abernathy. If anything, he would encourage her to be snotty to me.
“She’ll bring it right in. Now what can I do for you?”
CHAPTER 49
Billy
“Smells good, sis.” Jimmy dipped his finger in the sauce simmering on the stovetop and popped it in his mouth. “Tastes good, too.”