Moments later, the screen filled with live coverage of breaking news.
“If you’re just now joining us, we are at the home of Pamela Perry. Several months ago, the body of her husband, Carter Perry, was found floating in a body of water on the property. The death was ruled an accidental drowning. Tonight, another body has been found floating in the same pond. We’re told this is being classified as a homicide investigation.”
“Tatum doesn’t know who the victim is, but she did say it’s not Pamela Perry. She’s trying to find out more on her end without raising too many flags. But, she’s made a connection between here and there. And it won’t be long before others do too.”
“What connection?” my son asked.
“Mitzie,” Copper answered immediately and cleared his throat. “Tatum suggested we tend to our guests sooner rather than later.”
Copper turned his attention to Spazz. “You got anything yet?”
“Oh yeah,” Spazz said proudly. “Pamela Perry, née White, married Carter Perry, Sr. two years ago. According to the reports, Mr. Perry drowned while he was out fishing in a pond on his property. Toxicology results found alcohol, sleeping pills, and anti-anxiety medications in his system. His death was ruled accidental. But here’s the thing, his son is adamant that’s not what happened.”
“People get drunk and drown all the time,” Copper pointed out.
“Not people who don’t drink,” Spazz said flatly. “Or fish.”
Copper gestured with his hand for Spazz to continue.
“There’s a good bit to sift through, but his son has been relentlessly trying to prove Pamela was involved in his father’s death from the get-go. In Carter’s statement to the police, he tells them his father abhorred alcohol to the point he wouldn’t even allow it in his home. His statement also claims his father didn’t care for any kind of fishing.”
“What was Carter Perry, Sr.’s net worth at the time of his death?”
“A little over four million, including properties and other assets.”
“Pamela was the sole beneficiary?”
“Yep. No prenup, and he updated his will after they were married. Everything went to her."
“Well, there’s motive right there, but Pamela’s responsibility for her husband’s death doesn’t have anything to do with us. I need to know if there’s anything besides Mitzie and Sean that does.”
“Got it, Prez,” Spazz replied while his fingers continued to move over his keyboard.
“Time isn’t on our side this time, brothers,” Copper said. “We’ve got to get this shit wrapped up quickly and efficiently. Suggestions?”
Judge leaned forward on his elbows. “You said ‘one of the ponds.’ How many are there?”
“Four.”
“Do we know which one has the body in it?” Judge asked.
A map of the property appeared on the screen, and Spazz used his cursor to point to the pond in question.
“What are you thinking?” Copper asked.
“Maybe the son is on to something. And even if he isn’t, I don’t see why we can’t make his theory work for us. We give Mitzie a special cocktail and leave her floating face down in the pond. Regardless of her involvement, Pamela will have plenty of questions to answer after another body appears in one of her ponds with the exact same cause of death. And it’ll keep anybody from putting us under a microscope for a while.”
“Won’t the property be crawling with law enforcement? How are we going to nonchalantly drop a body in a pond without being seen?” Savior asked.
Copper gestured to the map still on the television screen. “We’re going for this one right here. It’s the farthest from the house, and we can access it from the highway. The time it takes us to change the flat tire we’re about to have will be more than enough to slip her into the pond. Spazz, can you pinpoint an area that isn’t covered by any traffic cameras?”
“Already have,” he replied and zoomed out on the map on the screen. “You’re clear from here to here.”
Copper nodded. “That’ll work.”
“What about Sean?” I asked. I didn’t want to admit it to my brothers, but I wasn’t so keen on spilling his blood after interrogating him, especially after watching his interactions with Mitzie. In short, I believed his story. And as much as I wanted to kill anyone who hurt Brinkley or Mackenzie, I wasn’t sure enough of his guilt to assuage mine.
Copper leaned back and rubbed his chin in the way all the men in his family did when they were pretending to think. “Well, I’m not sure about him, and we don’t have the time to be sure right now. But I know someone who can keep an eye on him and keep him out of our hair while this dust settles.”