report he held in his hand as a healthy shade of red crept from his neck to his chin.
“I suggest your investigation of this accident be a thorough and accurate one, because I’m going to contact a good friend who happens to be chief of police and ask him to take a personal interest in this matter and ensure that justice is served.”
“Will do, Mister—” Officer Morris looked down at the paper “—Drake. Um, right. I’ll be sure to take witness statements and record everything as accurately as possible.”
“You do that. And keep me posted on the outcome. I’m not letting her off the hook for this. Having no consequences for past rash actions is probably why she’s so careless today.”
By now tow trucks were on the scene. Ike walked over to the driver closest to his car and gave him a card to the garage where his car had been restored. “Be very careful,” he warned the freckle-faced young man. “As damaged as it is, that car is still my baby.”
The two brothers turned toward where Warren’s truck was parked. “Are you sure you’re all right?”
Ike nodded. “I’m fine.”
They reached the truck and got inside. “Where to?” Warren asked his brother.
Ike looked at his watch. “Home, I guess. There aren’t any other meetings scheduled or urgent business matters at the office, so I may just as well work from there.” For a minute they rode in silence. “What were you doing away from the office?”
“I wrapped up work early and was headed home for the day. Charli’s been getting on me about increasing my daddy duties and helping out more. I told her to get a nanny, but she refuses. Says nobody else is going to tell her daughter what to do.”
“Did you ask if that included you?”
“No, but I probably should.” The brothers laughed. “She’s an amazing wife and a fantastic mother, but a little overprotective. And speaking of which, you know when Mom finds out about this she’s going to want you checked out.”
“I’ll call my doctor and, if he thinks it necessary, have him stop by.”
“Good idea. Though I’m sure that seeing your Ferrari smashed up hurt worse than any physical injury would.”
Warren, three years younger than Ike and a lot like their grandfather Walter, was the only other brother who had an appreciation for classic cars.
“Man, you know it. I just got every detail back to its original state, what, maybe a month or so ago? It took us forever to find that particular siding. And then a careless driver had to go and smash right into it.”
“I’m sure it was an accident, not intentional.”
“Accident or not, it happened because she was driving too fast, and probably distracted by the loud music blaring from her car stereo. Heck, she may have even been texting.”
“You don’t know that.”
“No, I don’t. But I wouldn’t doubt it.”
“And even with that possibility, you’re still concerned about her welfare.”
Ike’s head quickly turned toward his brother. “Says who?”
“Says you. Back there.”
“I said no such thing.”
“When she was being wheeled into the ambulance. You said you hoped she was okay.”
“I don’t remember saying that.”
“And you couldn’t take your eyes off her. Didn’t even know how badly your car was damaged until I got there.”
“I don’t remember that, either.”
Warren gave his brother a lopsided grin. “Well, I was standing right next to you, bro, and you were definitely checking her out.” They reached the gated entrance to the Golden Gates community where several Drake family members lived. Ike lived just a couple blocks over from his parents, and Niko, two years younger than Ike, lived a mere block away. Warren tapped a device on his dash and the gates opened. “No one can fault you for being concerned about Quinn. She’s gorgeous, smart...”
“Spoiled, irresponsible, ill-mannered. So don’t even start.”
“Start what?”
“Whatever you’re preparing to instigate by blowing up a general statement made when my brain was scrambled.”
“Ha! Oh, so now the comment that you don’t remember making was said while you weren’t in your right mind.”
“Correct.”
Warren laughed again. “Okay, you go ahead and believe that. I don’t know why you’re fighting it. If I weren’t married, I’d probably ask her out.”
“Could you see someone like her feeling at home on your ranch? No, I don’t think that would have been a match. She’s more Terrell or Julian’s speed, and closer to their ages.”
“How old do you think she is?”
“Too young for me.”
Warren gave a disgruntled grunt. “I bet she’s not ten years younger than you—probably more like five.”
“She could be five years older than me chronologically and still too young. Or perhaps I should have said immature.”
“You’re full of it, Ike. There’s no way you can sit there and tell me you don’t find Quinn attractive.”
“She’s gorgeous, no doubt. Just not the type of woman I’m looking for.”
They reached Ike’s house. Warren pulled into his driveway and turned off the truck’s engine.
“So you are looking. That means you and Audrey are still off again?”
“Audrey and I are off forever.”
“I’ll believe that when I see it.”
“No, it’s for real this time. She agrees, too. Said that after ten years I should know if she’s the one. Plus, she’s not getting any younger and wants kids. She needs to be with someone ready to commit.”
“And that’s not you?”
“Doesn’t look like it,” Ike said with a sigh. “And to tell you the truth, I don’t know why. She has all the qualities I’d want in a wife. Everything except that spark, that something that leaves no doubt that you’d lay down your life for that woman. Like what I see between our grandparents, between Mom and Dad, heck, even between you and Charli, Niko and Monique, and Teresa and Atka. But it’s not there. I couldn’t lie to her and say it was, nor could I lie and say a commitment was imminent. So, yes, it’s officially and completely over, but we parted as friends.”
He opened his door. “Thanks for the lift, Warren. I’d tell you not to share the accident with Mother, but she
