190|Set The Cat Among The Pigeons—Part 2

'Devastated' didn't even begin to describe Willem's demeanour as he sat there, processing Austin's announcement. Every emotion under the sun flitted across his face until he finally crumpled in defeat.

He held his head in his hands, silently denying what he'd perhaps long suspected but refused to acknowledge, "No! Not Jaco!"

"Yes, your golden-haired boy may have had a hand in your daughter's death," Austin said, unable to bring himself to feel sorry for the man. "Like you, I didn't want to believe it at first. I mean, they were cousins. But after reading Iris' journal and learning how deep their hatred ran… I've got to admit, where I'm sitting, Jaco's looking good for the job."

Still in denial, Willem rose from his seat and paced the length of his den, growling at Austin, "Are you out of your mind? Jaco is family. He loved Iris. He was devastated when she died. He grieved for her!"

"Did he? Did he really grieve for her?" Austin murmured, steepling his fingers.

"Of course he did! He eve