Back at the house she showered and changed before starting lunch. Yancey walked in as she was setting the table.

"Smells good," he said as he headed down the hall.

In a few minutes they were all seated at the table, passing food.

Sarah addressed Yancey. "Sharon called this morning."

A sharp look under furrowed brows preceded his terse answer. "Again?"

"She called earlier?" Sarah replied amiably, ignoring his obvious annoyance.

"Yes, wanting more money."

"How much this time?"

"Too much." He spooned mashed potatoes onto his plate with a vengeance and said nothing more the rest of the meal. Afterward he left, shutting the door with force.

Lisa was silent a moment, gathering courage. They had talked in front of her, so it couldn't be what she thought. "Who is Sharon?"

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"His sister," she said, a touch of distain entering her tone.

Lisa hesitated, not wanting to pry and not sure if the conversation was supposed to end there. Obviously it wasn't her daughter. Of course he would have a father, and probably siblings.

"Half-Sister," Sarah corrected, her voice composed again. "Sharon was born shortly after my husband remarried."

Lisa stared at her. Surely she must feel bitter about that fact, and yet neither her voice nor her expression gave any indication that she felt animosity. It was as if she were talking about someone she didn't know.

"I keep telling him that as long as he gives her money, she'll never get out of trouble, but he just says she's the only sister he has and he has the money." She shrugged. "He won't have if he keeps bailing her out."

Bailing her out? Was she in jail? And yet, Yancey had mentioned cocaine in his telephone conversation. Maybe they found cocaine on her and she needed twenty-five thousand to get out of jail. But then, there was the package, and the money he wanted back. Maybe Sarah was making up a story to cover up for Yancey. Still, if that were the case, she need not have brought up the telephone call at the table. The conversation obviously upset Yancey, but he didn't seem to be concerned that a stranger was listening. As secretive as he was about the rest of his business, it seemed out of character for him to talk openly about something that could provide proof. On the other hand, if Sarah was telling the truth, there was another side to Giddon - a loyal brother. Getting into that building was getting more important all the time.




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