In all those years, he couldn’t even remember attending any functions that the Henderson family had been at also. They weren’t on his radar as friends or enemies. “Why?”
“Why not? I figured at first she’d have to be connected to Maxwell somehow, but there was nothing.”
“And nothing to the Hendersons either, right?”
Gareth shrugged. “She works for them.”
In an office no different than Rosslyn. Not a threat.“And that is what makes you think Dad had a sister?” Charles saw nothing credible yet.
“You don’t think it’s odd that she looking into our family’s past?”
Charles nodded. “We are a family in the public eye. People are always digging into our lives. You should know by now that half the shit they say isn’t based on facts. If we back up a little and go with your theory that the Hendersons hired her to look into us, my question still would be why? Hendersons are not our rivals.”
He could see Gareth was processing that question. “I never thought of that. I’ll need to check,” Gareth said.
“You’re losing me, Gareth,” Charles said, grumbling his frustration with the entire conversation.
“You’re right about the Hendersons, but what if they’re connected to Grayson? Maxwell could’ve asked the Henderson family to dig into ours.”
Charles burst out laughing. “Gareth, you need to take a break. I know I’m the one who asked you to get me all the dirt you can on Maxwell, but I think you’re seeing things that aren’t there.”
“So you don’t believe Dad had a sister?” Gareth leaned over to rest his forearms on his knees.
Charles wasn’t sure what to believe. A secret like this being hidden all these years wouldn’t have been easy. That doesn’t mean it was done. “I don’t know. Back then the mortality rate wasn’t like it is today. Since Dad never mentioned her, he might not remember. I don’t see the point of dredging up the past. Not unless there is a damn good reason we need to.”
“I can’t believe what I’m hearing. If anyone in this family should want to know, I’d think it was you.”
“Why? Because I’m the oldest?” Charles asked.
“Because you’re the one closest to Dad.”
That was still a misconception even now. No one was close to their father. He was always there and they never questioned his love, but no one really knew him at all. Their father was a closed book. And if there was a sister, that should remain closed as well.
“Then trust me when I say Dad wouldn’t want us prying into the past. Besides, we have a future we’re supposed to be working on. We don’t have time for a wild-goose chase.”
“Damn it. I really thought that woman Gia might be on to something. But you’re right. We’re the future of Lawson Steel. The only thing that matters are the decisions the six of us make. Right now, I’m deciding I’m going for a late breakfast. Want to join me?”
“I have a lot of work to do,” Charles answered.
Gareth laughed. “You always do. But somehow this weekend you didn’t. I wonder why? If you came to breakfast with me we could discuss it.”
From outside of the office, Seth popped his head in. “What are we discussing over breakfast?”
“Charles’s girlfriend,” Gareth shouted.
Charles glared at him and said, “We’re not in high school. She’s not my girlfriend.”
Gareth shrugged. “Lady friend. Is that better?”
Seth entered the office and said, “When the hell did you find time to meet someone? Every time I talk to you, you’re busy working.” Then Seth slapped Gareth on the back. “Oh, I get it. He’s working. All this time I felt as though I wasn’t pulling my weight around here.”
“Let’s get something straight. You’re not. And I was working. I had a date this weekend. That’s all. Now if you two don’t mind, I do have things I need to take care of this morning.”
Seth turned to Gareth and asked, “How come you know about her?”
Gareth answered, “Nothing slips by me.”
“That’s because your inflated ego blocks it,” Seth teased.