A Widow's Poison, A Wife's Rebellion novel Chapter 35

Could Herbert have sent someone to pick Starla up? Fairfax's mind raced. For the past six months, he had spent most of his time at the family estate. It wasn't impossible that she and Herbert had been in contact during that time.

His breathing quickened. "Find out where that man from Yoran Country took her! And…" He trailed off, his expression devoid of warmth. "Never mind. Just find her first."

"Yes, sir," Gabriel said, nodding before quickly leaving the room.

Alone, Fairfax immediately dialed Herbert's number. Herbert answered promptly, his deep voice cool and detached. "What is it?"

The words, laced with cold indifference, sent a surge of anger through Fairfax. He had always dismissed Herbert's personality as merely aloof and uninteresting. Now, he saw it as outright hostility.

"Are you at the office? I'm coming to see you."

"You have time for that now?" Herbert's tone was mocking.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Fairfax bristled. That tone… it was dripping with sarcasm. Herbert was capable of sarcasm? Was this about Starla?

His grip on the phone tightened.

"Brinley is having a depressive episode every few hours," Herbert continued. "You can't even manage your own home, and you have time to come see me?"

It was rare for Herbert to say so much at once. Was this change really because of Starla? Furious, Fairfax hung up, grabbed his jacket, and stormed out of the office.

In the car, Fairfax thought for a moment before dialing Caden again.

"Dude, what do you want now?" Caden answered, his voice thick with exasperation. He never imagined that his friend's marital problems would become his own personal headache.

"Call her and…"

Caden didn't know what to say to him. "You're so decisive when it comes to business, but when it's about Starla, you're a total pushover. You believe everything that Brinley says, don't you?" The mere mention of her name filled Caden's voice with disdain. In his opinion, Brinley had no sense of boundaries. Her husband was dead, yet she constantly clung to her married brother-in-law. It was disgusting!

Fairfax, incensed by the lecture, snapped, "Are you going to make the call or not?"

"I'm just saying…"

"Gabriel found out a man from Yoran Country checked her out of the hospital today," Fairfax cut in. "Who else from Yoran Country would she know besides Herbert?"

Caden fell silent. Gabriel. Well, that was different now. Gabriel's loyalty to Fairfax was unquestionable, so his information would be solid.

"Alright, fine," Caden sighed. "I'll call and tell her."

After hanging up, Fairfax's expression was thunderous.