Goodbye, Mr. Regret

Yates slid into Vince's car, ready to head back to the Zimmerman estate and pick

up Jessica for dinner.

As he buckled in, Timothy's name flashed on the dashboard screen. Yates

glanced at Vince. "It's Timothy calling."

"Go on, answer it. Put him on speaker-I'm curious what he wants this time."

Yates accepted the call and switched to speakerphone. Timothy's voice came

through, slightly breathless and urgent. "Yates, what's Jessica's connection to that

film, 'Letters from the Fetal Sea'?"

So, he'd caught on.

Not bad-he was quick.

Yates shot Vince a look, silently asking if they should spill. Vince shook his head.

Not a word.

Jessica had confided in him before: Timothy couldn't know. She was worried he'd

ruin everything.

That movie was Carlisle and his friends' labor of love. It would be a disaster if all

their hard work went up in smoke.

Jessica wasn't hoping to make a fortune; she just wanted to give Carlisle and his

crew a chance to prove themselves.

And Vince had seen it firsthand-Timothy had tried to snatch the film and slap

Sheila's name on it.

like Jessica had

was no way Vince would let

Who am I supposed to ask? My

invested some money, made a

hurting for cash, so I stopped paying

calling him your brother-in-law. Jessica is my

Timothy's irritation was palpable.

never said Jessica. I'm talking

my future brother-in-law for, what, twenty, thirty years now? Why can't

that? Unless you want

wheel with one hand and shot

lips pressed into a hard, thin line, his jaw as sharp as a chisel. His

to flushed with

argue with you. That film definitely has

snorted. "Why

you planning

it with Sheila's

Now my brother-in-law's

there's a preview

wanted to

Why waste your time? Use it

rest up and let your

clear."

"brother-in-law" dig was grating, even over

Vince with you? Put him on.

a word."

but really, do you think he wants to talk to you? Use your

to talk or

even

to visit the Howard family

have something to say to