The Warlord Returns novel · Chapter 9 of 24

Chapter 9: Breakfast

Jack came down the stairs at six on Thursday morning in yesterday's jeans, with his hair wet and his face.

He had found my side of the bed cold and put the rest together himself.

Wyatt hadn't moved from the desk.

"There he is," Wyatt said pleasantly. "Good morning, Mr. Mercer. Or should I say Colonel Thurmond?"

"Mercer's fine."

"I'd rather be honest. Carrie talked about you so often I feel like we've met."

"She talked about you too."

"Did she?" Wyatt smiled. "What did she say?"

"That you were kind."

It sat in the room.

For one second Wyatt's smile slipped.

Then he stood and spread his hands.

"Let's have breakfast," he said. "Like adults."

The sunroom had white wicker chairs and a view of a lawn that went on for an acre.

Margaret was already at the table with a pot of tea.

She had covered the mark on her cheek with powder.

She did not look at me.

I put the ledger on the table between the toast and the jam.

"This is yours," I said to Jack.

"It's nobody's," Wyatt said again. "It's a family record of charitable donations. Show it to anyone you like."

"I will."

"Then let me save you some time."

Wyatt poured coffee for everyone.

"I'm sorry for your loss. I loved your sister. What happened was a tragedy, and the police agreed it was an accident."

He slid a sugar bowl toward Jack.

"I'd like to make a donation in her name."

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