Casey ends her call with Sheldon, waves at Kathy to get her attention, and sends her a text. Miranda has apparently overdosed. Ambulance and police on the way. How should we proceed?
She watches Kathy pick up her phone and type out her response. I’ll alert Evan. Come back to the table and follow my lead.
Casey returns to the table, but instead of sitting down, she remains standing beside Kathy’s chair.
“Listen up, everyone,” Kathy says and waits for the chatter at the table to die down. “We have a situation at The Nest. Hugh’s girlfriend is having a medical emergency. First responders are on the way. The lights and sirens will undoubtedly concern the other diners, so let’s remain as calm as possible.”
The table erupts into questions for Kathy, which she ignores. “Here’s how this will go down. Hugh and I will leave first, followed by Casey and Daniel. The rest of you will remain seated. For appearance’s sake, try to enjoy your meal.”
Daniel gives Kathy an icy stare. “Why are you suddenly in charge of my family?”
“I’m not Casey’s friend from New York. My name is Kathy Sinclair, and I’m a private investigator, working undercover to bust a drug ring.”
Daniel shakes his head in confusion. “I don’t understand. What does this drug ring have to do with my family?”
“I’ll explain everything later. Let’s go, Hugh.” Kathy hauls him out of his chair and holds on tight to his arm as they leave the terrace.
Casey waits until Hugh and Kathy have disappeared into the darkness before helping her father up.
“You have some explaining to do,” Daniel says as they hurry to catch up with Kathy.
Casey stabs her chest with her thumb. “Not me. You need to talk to Hugh. He’s the one with the answers.”
“You should’ve come to me, Casey. Instead of involving the police.”
“I didn’t contact the police. Sheldon did, after Hugh’s goons roughed him up, a beating which included breaking several of his ribs,” Casey says and increases her pace to avoid further interrogation.
They arrive at The Nest to find chaos in the courtyard. An ambulance and four police cruisers are parked haphazardly in the driveway. Spotting Sheldon near the children’s wing entrance, they rush over to him. “Where did Hugh and Kathy go?” Casey asks.
Sheldon throws a thumb over his shoulder. “Inside.”
Casey opens the door. “The two of you stay here.” But they follow her into the children’s wing anyway, stepping out of the way when the paramedics wheel Miranda’s gurney past.
Sheldon pulls a dazed Gray out of the line of passing people. “How is she?”
Gray shakes his head. “Not good. The paramedics are afraid the cocaine was laced with fentanyl. I’m gonna ride with her to the hospital in the ambulance.”
Sheldon squeezes Gray’s shoulder. “All right, man. I’ll be praying for her. Call me if you need a ride home.”
“Did he say fentanyl?” Daniel whispers to Casey.
“Yep. Unfortunately, it’s all over our country.”
Daniel’s pale olive eyes widen. “Kathy mentioned a drug ring. Is someone trafficking drugs out of my home?”
“Another one of those questions you’ll need to ask Hugh,” Casey snaps.
The threesome continues down the hall to Hugh’s bedroom where Kathy and a handcuffed Hugh are waiting outside while a team of officers searches within.
“Check the desk,” Sheldon calls to them, and Hugh glares at him.
An officer pries open the locked desk drawer and pulls out two large bags, one with pills and the other cocaine. “Well now. What do we have here?”
Evan makes a timely appearance on the scene. “You’ve been a busy man,” he says to Hugh and to the officer standing next to him, “Take him down to the station and book him.”
Daniel steps between Hugh and the officer. “On what charges?”
“Charges related to drug trafficking,” Evan says. “The list will be long.”
Daniel appears crestfallen. “May I speak to my son alone in my study first?”
When the detective hesitates, Daniel says, “I give a healthy donation to your organization every year.”
“Fine. I’ll give you five minutes. But I insist Officer Rogers accompany you.”
With a nod of approval, Daniel starts off down the hall with the officer and Hugh on his heels.
“Come on. This will be good.” Taking her by the hand, Sheldon leads Casey out the back way and around the children’s wing to the main part of the house. They press themselves against the wall in the hallway outside Daniel’s study to eavesdrop on Daniel and Hugh.
“Tell me the truth, Hugh. Are you addicted to drugs? I can send you to rehab, to get you the help you need, and potentially keep you out of jail.”
“I’m not addicted to drugs, Dad. I have a gambling problem. The attorney’s fees for the assault charges nearly bankrupted me. I started gambling . . .” Hugh’s voice trails off and the sound of loud sniffling comes from inside the study.
Sheldon whispers to Casey, “I know this tactic. He’s fake crying to make Dad feel sorry for him.”
Casey rolls her eyes. “By attorney’s fees, he means bribing the judge.”
Hugh clears his throat. “It was innocent enough at first. Online slot machines and that sort of thing. I was doing all right too. But then I met a bookie who encouraged me to place larger bets on major sporting events. The thrill was exhilarating, and I got sucked in, but I hardly ever won any of my bets. Before I knew it, I was in major debt. The bookie introduced me to his boss, that dirtbag Ruthie is dating. Davis agreed to let me pay him back the money I owed him by distributing drugs.”
“I can’t believe you were doing all this under my roof. How did you get past security?”
“I paid Jeremy to look the other way.”
Sheldon grimaces. “That explains a lot.”
“You’ve got yourself into one helluva a mess this time, Hugh. Although I’m uncertain of the laws, I imagine if your girlfriend dies, they could charge you with involuntary manslaughter.”
Casey gasps, her hand clamping over her mouth. “Is that possible?” she whispers to Sheldon.
Sheldon shrugs. “I have no idea.”
“I’m sorry, Dad. I really screwed up this time.”
“I will always love you, son. But this time, I won’t come to your rescue.”
“I understand, Dad. And I don’t blame you.”
Footfalls on the hardwoods precede Hugh’s appearance in the hallway. He cranes his neck to give Casey and Sheldon the death stare as Officer Rogers leads him out the front door.
Daniel’s voice booms out and echoes throughout the house. “Sheldon! Casey! I know you’re out there. Get in here now.”
Daniel is standing at the wet bar, pouring himself a whiskey, when Casey and Sheldon enter the study and sit down side by side on the sofa.
Daniel brings his drink over to his favorite leather chair. He squints at Sheldon. “Are you okay, son? Your face is green.”
Sheldon touches his finger to his cheek. “These are bruises. Souvenirs from Hugh’s thugs.”
“Casey mentioned that. How long have you two known about all this?”
“A few weeks,” Sheldon says.
“And you never thought to tell me about it?”
“Would you have listened?” Casey asks.
Daniel’s eyes narrow. “Are you blaming me for Hugh’s problems?”
Casey meets his gaze. “If the shoe fits. I think you’re an enabler.”
Sheldon’s head jerks toward her. “Ouch! That’s harsh, Casey!”
“But it’s true,” Daniel says. “I’ve made excuses for Hugh’s downfalls and shortcomings all his life. I bailed him out every single time he got into trouble. I kept hoping he’d get his act together. I guess he’s just rotten to his core.” He turns to Casey. “For the record, you were always my number one pick for the head position. I created the competition to highlight Hugh’s weaknesses. He and I never shared the same vision for Love-Struck.”
“Hugh knew what you wanted,” Sheldon says. “He just insisted on doing things his way.”
Daniel offers Sheldon a sad smile. “I wish you hadn’t dropped out of the race, son. My choice would be for you and Casey to run the vineyard together.”
Casey leans into Sheldon. “I’m working on him. He knows how much I want him as my partner.”
“Now that Hugh’s out of the picture, I’ll consider a part-time gig.” Sheldon’s phone rings, and he glances at his screen. “This is Ollie. I should take it. I’m sure she’s worried.”
Daniel waits for Sheldon to leave the room before moving to the edge of his seat. “I owe you an apology, honey, for putting your life in danger. I felt indebted to Hugh for seeing me through my recovery. If I had known what was going on, I would never have allowed such criminal activities to take place under my nose. Hopefully, there won’t be a next time, but you must promise never to keep something so important from me again.”
“As long as you promise to keep an open mind when it comes to your other children.”
Daniel squeezes her knee. “Deal.”
Casey places her hand on top of his. “I know you love Hugh, and I realize how difficult this is for you. I would gladly give up the head position in exchange for a more positive outcome for this family.”
“We’ll survive. We’ve weathered worse storms. I’m grateful to have you in my life to help ease the pain.”