Crazy for Her(73)

“We’ll start with you, Turner,” Logan said. “Your text said you found a source who knew the details of what happened between Prescott’s parents.”

Dani leaned forward. It seemed strange she was about to hear details of Evan’s life that he’d never known.

Jamie read from the screen of the open laptop in front of him. “The man’s name is Roger Milton. He, his wife Patti, and Prescott’s parents, Tom and Ruth, were best friends. Tom Prescott was an evangelist, going to different churches for revival services, usually staying for a week. Milton was his music man.”

“Music man?” Logan asked.

Jamie nodded. “Yeah, according to Milton, he had the voice of an angel, and after Prescott preached his fire-and-brimstone sermons, he would end the revival by singing ‘Amazing Grace.’ He said there wasn’t a soul standing under the tent that could resist the two of them. He must have sensed my skepticism because he started to sing. I gotta tell you, I’ve never been so moved in my life. If Prescott’s preaching was on a level with Milton’s voice, they were a hell of a team.”

“While that’s interesting,” Logan said, “how does it relate to Evan and Eli?”

Dani glanced at Logan. He winked and her heart did its pitter-patter thing. Forgetting where she was and the seriousness of the discussion, and because she was sitting to his right and within easy reach, she slipped her foot out of her flip-flop and danced her toes up his leg under the conference table.

“You okay, boss?” Buchanan asked when Logan choked.

“Swallowed wrong,” Logan gasped, and reached for the water in front of him.

Smoldering brown eyes focused on her over the rim of the glass, their message promising delicious retribution. She lifted an eyebrow.

“Excuse us a minute,” he said, standing and grabbing her hand. He towed her out of the conference room, closing the door behind him.

“Was there something you wanted, Dani?”

She lifted her eyes to the ceiling and thought about it. “Nope, can’t think of anything.”

“Little liar,” he growled right before his mouth crashed down on hers.

God, the man could kiss.

He pulled away and stared down at her, his eyes dancing with amusement. “Behave and pay attention.” With that order given, he put his hand under her elbow and escorted her back inside. The others gave them curious looks when she and Logan walked back in.

“Sorry,” Logan said. “I needed to talk to Dani about something.”

Buchanan smirked. “If you say so, boss.”

Dani blushed. Even without looking in a mirror, she knew her lips were pink and swollen. Maria grinned, puckered her lips, and made a smacking noise, causing everyone to laugh. Dani felt her cheeks grow even hotter, but decided to fall back on the old adage that if you can’t beat them, then join them.

“Busted,” she said.

That set them off even more. Sneaking a peek at Logan, she thought he looked rather proud of himself. Well, who could blame him? For the first time in his life, he had a girlfriend, and it was probably the first time he truly felt like one of the guys. She took a satisfied breath knowing she’d played a part in putting that gleam of pride in his eyes.

“Let’s get back to business,” Logan said gruffly. “Give us what you have, Turner.”

“Right. Enter Herbert Ballard. When the twins were two, Prescott and Milton were invited to lead a revival at Ballard’s Christ’s Gospel Church. They were scheduled to be there for a week, and according to Milton, that’s when it all went wrong. He said sometimes they took their wives and kids, sometimes not, and this was one of the times they did. Milton said if he could go back and change one thing in his life, they would have left the women at home that time.”

“I don’t think Evan was aware his dad had once been an evangelist. The only job his father had that he knew of was as an insurance salesman,” Dani said.

“Were they close?” Buchanan asked.

Dani shrugged. “His father died before I met Evan, but he always spoke fondly of his dad, so I suppose they were.”

“What happened then?” Logan asked Turner.

“Prescott caught his wife in bed with Ballard. Milton said a nasty scene ensued, with Ruth refusing to leave Ballard.”

By the thinning of Logan’s lips, Dani was sure he’d just put Ruth Prescott into the same league as his mother. Not caring about their audience, she rested her hand on his arm. He was tense under her palm, his muscles tight, but amazingly, she felt him calm under her touch.

“Continue,” Logan said, his gaze on Dani.

Turner opened a folder, removed some pages, and handed them to Logan. “These are over twenty-five years old, but I managed to get copies of the Prescotts’ and Ballard’s driver’s licenses.”