"I don't know if there's a connection, but I believe my brother was murdered." It was the first time she'd said that to any of them. She'd said it many times to Julia and the police but never to one of the fraternity members, and it felt good.
Both Henry and Trent appeared taken aback by her words, an awkward silence developing between them.
"I hope that's not true," Henry said finally. "That would make his death even more terrible."
"You don't really believe that, do you, Haley?" Trent asked, his gaze more shadowed than it had been before.
"I do. And now, with the help of the FBI, I'm going to prove it."
Henry nodded. "Good," he said. "If it wasn't an accident, then Landon needs justice. And we are happy to help. But we'd also like to hear evidence not just speculation."
"We'll get evidence," she said confidently. "And we'll follow it wherever it goes."
"As you should," Trent put in, his gaze troubled. "It feels like you don't think we're on the same side, Haley, but we are."
"I hope so."
Henry cleared his throat. "Is there anything else? Because Jill wants Trent and me to put in some bids to get the auction action going." He turned to his cousin. "She especially wants to see your name at the top of every list, Trent. She said it's your brotherly duty."
"As long as I don't actually have to buy any of the art, I'll put my name down," Trent grumbled.
"Your place could use some art," Henry said. "It's about time you stopped decorating like a twenty-year-old. You should use my mom's interior decorator. She'd turn your apartment into something worthy of art."
"The last thing I want to do is live in an apartment that reminds me of your mother or mine," Trent said. Pausing, he turned to her with a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry all this is coming back up again, Haley. I understand why you're desperate to get answers. I just don't think you're going to find your answers here. We were your brother's friends."
"Trent is right," Henry said. "Landon was our brother. And his death was a blow to everyone who knew him and cared about him."
They both had just enough sincerity to make it difficult to call them outright liars, but she still didn't believe a word they were saying.
"At any rate, we should help with the auction," Henry continued. "Are you going to bid on anything, Haley? Or are you just here to question people who went to Westbridge?"
"I'm not sure," she replied. "I haven't looked at the auction items yet, but I might be interested in something."
"They pay you pretty well at theSentinel?" Henry asked.
It bothered her that he knew where she worked, although it was hardly a secret. "Of course not," she said, sensing his comment was also meant to put her in her place, remind her she wasn't one of them. And she couldn't help but wonder if he'd done the same thing to Landon.
"There are some inexpensive items," Trent put in. "Jill likes to make sure that the auction is accessible to all levels of donations."
"I'll keep that in mind," she said.
"Good luck with everything," Trent said, pausing for a moment as Henry left. "And I really do hope you find answers. I always thought it was an accident, but if it wasn't, then someone needs to be held accountable."
"Thank you," she said as Trent headed to the patio.
"Well, those two are night and day," Matt muttered.
"Not just in looks but in personality," she agreed. "Henry is dark and shady. Trent is open and light."
"Or at least that's who they want you to think they are."
She turned and met his gaze. "Henry wanted to remind me I wasn't of his class."
"I noticed that. Did it bother you?"
"No. I've been poor my entire life. I don't need some rich kid to remind me of that. I'm very aware of the size of my bank account." She let out a sigh. "I feel like we go around in circles in every conversation."
"Because Henry is right. We need evidence, not speculation," he said. "And it kills me to say Henry was right because I don't like him."
