He had never used an accusatory, belligerent tone with her. Of course, she had never confronted him about anything while she was growing up. Maybe because she’d been afraid he would react like this and shatter the already-cracking glass bubble they’d been living under.
She tried to keep her voice even. “Someone has Ethan,” she said. “I’m wondering if you have some idea who, and where Ethan is. And I think someone is playing some kind of sick psychological game. I don’t know why, but maybe you do. I’m worried about Ethan, and I’m worried about you.”
He continued staring at her as a vein pulsed in his neck.
“Please, Dad. If you know, tell me what’s going on. Tell me before Ethan or someone gets hurt.”
He slammed his hand on the coffee table, and the ashtray went flying, crashing onto the terrazzo floor. “Did she put you up to this?” he said, spit coming out with his words.
Aubrey was stunned. She had never known him to get so angry.
“Your mother, did she send you here? All I’ve tried to do these past eight years is make things right with her. To get Kev and Kim to drop their grudge and let her see her grandson. And they finally listened to me. But does your mother ever see the good I’ve done? No. She’s a bitter woman and she wants her revenge.”
“You’re wrong,” Aubrey said, bewildered. “Mama knows nothing about this.”
“I’ll bet she knows nothing,” he snapped. “Columbia? Politics? Why is the FBI asking about that unless she put them up to it? And if she did, she’s a fool, because it will all come back around to her.”
“What do you mean?”
“That, little girl, is something you should ask your dear mother about.”
CHAPTER 15
Heat rose to Aubrey’s cheeks. Never in her childhood had her father yelled at her. Of course, she had practically backed him into a corner, so what did she expect—a pat on the back and a “good job”? Still, she didn’t understand why he was suggesting that Mama had some secret past.
He picked up his glass of wine and froze. She followed his gaze to the front door, where Star stood holding a grocery bag with one arm. Aubrey hadn’t heard her father’s girlfriend come in, but she’d probably been there for a good bit of the argument. It was just like the first time Aubrey had met her years after Kevin’s wedding, when Star had lurked in the shadows before announcing herself. Aubrey again felt a visceral tug of bitterness.
“Hello, Aubrey.” Star crossed to the sofa, moving gracefully in a yellow tunic and flowing pants, like someone who’d practiced yoga for years. “I’m so sorry about Ethan and what your family is going through.” Her soft accent made her sound like she came from southern aristocracy.
Aubrey was far too agitated to have a civil conversation, especially with the woman who had broken up her parents’ marriage and hurt her mother so deeply. She stood. “Thank you, Star. I’m sorry, but I was just leaving.”
“Oh, please don’t go. I ran over to the store to pick up cheese and crackers for us.”
Aubrey glanced at her father. After their quarrel, she was sure he would want her to leave quickly, but he looked sad rather than angry. Maybe once he had some time to absorb their conversation, he would reconsider confiding in her.
“Stay, Aubrey,” he said. “I don’t want you to leave on a bad note.” He got up from the sofa, took the bag of groceries from Star, then went into the kitchen.
She sat back down, partially to appease her father, but she was also curious about this woman and the possibility she’d been involved with Ethan’s disappearance in some way. As she and Mama had discussed, they didn’t know very much about her.
Star took her father’s place on the sofa and folded her hands on her lap. Her nails were short, with pale-pink polish, and there were rings on all her fingers. Aubrey hadn’t seen her since they’d all been in New York for Ethan’s fourth birthday.
She was as attractive and youthful as ever—though she was probably close to Mama’s age, with a similar height and build. She wore her white, wispy hair very short, hugging her scalp. The pixie bangs, arched black eyebrows, and dangling hoop earrings accentuated her large blue eyes, which were doing a quick assessment of Aubrey.
“Please tell me what’s going on,” Star said. She glanced at the broken ashtray on the floor, making no move to pick up the pieces, then looked back at Aubrey. “Any news about Ethan?”
“No. No news.”
Star tugged on one of her earrings. “I hoped the press conference would have shaken loose some leads.”
Aubrey tried to be polite without saying too much. “I believe there have been a number of calls. The FBI is following up on them.”
Her father returned with a tray of cheese and crackers and a glass of wine for Star, then sat down beside her. He didn’t make eye contact with Aubrey. She wondered whether he regretted blowing up at her earlier.
“Thank you, dearest,” Star said, accepting the wine and taking a sip. She held her glass delicately, her pinkie extended. On it was an unusual silver ring that wound up to the lower joint and ended with a garnet stone. Aubrey remembered her father once mentioning Star had a jewelry business and sold her designs to small boutiques.
“How is your mother holding up?” Star asked.
“She’s managing,” Aubrey said.
“She’s lucky to have you. I know you two have always been close.”
“Yes,” Aubrey said. “And I’m happy you’re here for my father.”
Star raised an eyebrow, as though she had picked up on Aubrey’s sarcasm. “That’s very nice of you to say, dear. I’m glad to be able to help organize things so your father can be here for your family. And, of course, I’m very worried about little Ethan.”
Aubrey glanced at her father, who was frowning at her. She’d already gotten his nose out of joint, so she might as well continue asking questions, even if he didn’t like where she was going. “I know you’ve spent some time with Ethan in LA,” she said to Star. “My dad sent me some photos of the three of you together.”