Grant shifted his gaze to his daughter with a sigh. “Baby, let’s watch the movie.”
“Can it, Daddy. I want to know what Gollum’s coveting over there.”
Kyle offered her an unimpressed glance. “Gollum had a ring, not a key.”
“Key to what?” she asked.
He held it in the air. “That is the question.”
She snatched it from him and narrowed her eyes at it. “Where did you get it?”
“Sierra, maybe we should watch the movie and talk about that later,” Julia suggested.
Sierra slid her eyes to her stepmother. “Nice try, Julia. Where did Kyle get this?”
Grant’s jaw tightened, the tension in his body ramping up. “Lydia had it delivered upon her death. She…claims it’s my doom. One lastgiftfrom her. It’s nothing. Just a final taunt.”
With a swift motion, Sierra plucked the note from between Kyle’s fingers, her eyes scanning the words before he could protest.
He heaved a sigh, smacking his hands against the bed. “Are you kidding me?”
“You’ve already read it. You need to learn to share.”
“Oh, I need to learn to share? I’m pretty sure if I’d have grown up here, you would have insisted you have first dibs on everything.”
“Shut up, Kyle. No one asked you.”
He flung a hand in the air. “See what I mean?”
Sierra’s eyes narrowed at the note. “Key to her kingdom? What kingdom? Or is she referring to some fiery domain where she obviously now resides?”
“I don’t think they have keys there,” Kyle answered.
“I don’t think she meant anything,” Grant answered. “I think she just spewed out a bunch of vile nonsense like she always does. She’s just twisting the knife.”
Julia rose from her seat and climbed onto the bed. “While I agree that she’s twisting the knife, I don’t agree that it means nothing. Lydia doesn’t do empty threats.”
She took the key from Sierra and studied it as a knock sounded at the door.
Grant pulled his eyes from the object Julia held and shifted them to the door.
Alicia took a few tentative steps into the room. “Sorry to interrupt. I know you’re having some family time, but I’mhelping Alex with some leads. He said something about a key and a note. I checked your office, Juju, but–”
Julia held the key higher in the air. “It’s here.”
“Oh, I didn’t know you all were looking at it. I’ll leave you to it, then.”
“No, you can take it,” Grant said. So, Alicia had taken it upon herself to actively join the investigation. He was impressed. “That’ll give us some time to watch this…fantastic movie.”
“Oh, please, Daddy,” Sierra said, “the movie is terrible. I only picked it to annoy Kyle.”
“Thanks, Sierra,” Kyle said.
“Actually, I should thank you. Annoying you always lifts my spirits.”
“Glad to be of service,” Kyle said with a salute.
Julia passed the key and the note to her sister. “Thanks. I’ll–”
