Sitting under the shade of the canopied table, Sabrina watched Lucy Detree catch Anneka Lund Keating by the elbow just as the woman reached their table. She marveled at how Anneka’s branch of the family made a perfect blonde brigade, starting with its matriarch and extending down to the fair grandchildren.
She was grateful that Henry had suggested to Sean that they move away from the family table to find better reception for their phones and see if they’d heard from Neil. Sean didn’t need to be provoked by anyone else. He’d been on an emotional roller coaster since the night before, and Gavin had nearly unraveled him twice in the last half hour.
“Ma’am, you are not the Mrs. Keating we requested return for questioning. We are looking for Lisa Keating,” Sergeant Detree said as Anneka shook her arm free of the police officer’s hold.
“Well, you people should communicate more clearly then. I gave my name at the gate and they let me come right in. Since I’m here, I need to make sure my son is all right. Gavin, dear, this is just awful.” Anneka waltzed over to peck his cheek.
“It’s unfortunate, but I think I’ve got things in control, at least as far as the business goes,” Gavin said.
“Officer, please remove this woman from the premises. She has no business being here. We are grieving the loss of a woman who should be marrying our son this evening. We need our privacy,” Kate Keating said, standing to face Lucy Detree. Heather rose and stood next to her mother.
“For the love of God, Anneka, can you just let it go for once?” Jack said, not standing to join the warring women.
Detree seemed frozen after witnessing the family spar. Sabrina had had enough. She rose to her feet and pulled Detree to the side.
“There’s some bad blood in this family. I think this situation could get a lot worse if the wrong Mrs. Keating, who by the way was the first Mrs. Keating, doesn’t leave quickly. I hope you don’t mind me cluing you in.”
“Got it. Thanks.”
“Come now or I’ll have to arrest you, ma’am. This is an official police investigation.” Detree grabbed Anneka by the same arm she’d grasped while attempting to stop her just minutes before.
“Mother, I’m fine. Go watch the girls, please,” Gavin said, seeming to comprehend that his mother was on the verge of incarceration. Sabrina remained standing behind Sergeant Detree, staring at mother and son. She was reminded of the old saying about the apple not falling far from the tree.
Anneka glared back at Sabrina, then smirked.
“Aren’t you that weather reporter who murdered her husband?” Looking over her shoulder at Kate and Jack, she said, “You people really know how to throw a wedding.”