I blushed when Emmitt opened our door and I spotted two queen beds. I wondered if his father had mentioned the sleeping arrangements to him. The room, tastefully decorated in brown and gold tones, had a sitting area opposite the door.
“If it’s all right with you,” Grey said from behind us, “we’d like to get started right away.”
I nodded, and Carlos and Grey came in with us. Emmitt set our bags on one of the beds while I cleared the hotel advertisements and guidebook off the coffee table. Carlos and Grey sat on the wooden chairs from the table while Emmitt and I sat on the small brown sofa. Grey spread out a map of the area that he’d grabbed from the airport, and I pointed to the area I used to live.
“I don’t know if David’s still there. I’m guessing probably not since David was employed by Blake and had no ties to Richard or the house. But Blake might have someone watching the place. If it’s possible, could you sneak in and grab a few things? You’ll need to be careful. The house has a security system. I set it off when I left.”
I explained where to find photos of my mom and a few other things that I wanted for my brothers. “Then, you could go back tomorrow and see if you stirred up any trouble.”
Grey smiled wide. “I like the way you think. We’ll call when we get there to let you know the state of things. If anyone’s there, we’ll watch for a while.”
They both stood to leave. My worry and fear had evaporated while we talked, and now impatience grabbed me. It would take them at least forty minutes to get to my house. I didn’t want to wait that long to find out...well, anything. I knew whatever would happen, would happen, but I just wanted to get it over with. I’d given Blake enough of my life.
Emmitt closed the door behind them and turned to study me.
“Let’s go next door and get something to eat.”
We left the room and walked to the restaurant next door. The smell of grilling burgers hit me when we left the hotel. Crossing the parking lot, my stomach growled. Emmitt grinned at me.
Inside the restaurant, we decided on burgers and ordered takeout to bring back to the room. The wait seemed to take forever. I kept glancing at the clock, worried we’d miss Grey’s call.
When we returned with our food, we ate quickly. Emmitt’s phone chirped just as I finished. He’d been done within minutes, of course.
Emmitt listened for a while, adding affirmations occasionally. Finally, he said, “I agree. I’ll let her know. Call back if there’s a change in plans.”
He hung up the phone and gave me a slight smile. “They’re watching the house but say it looks abandoned. The grass is overgrown, and the papers are piled up. There’s even a notice on the door. Grey’s content to sit and watch it for the rest of the day to see if they’re mistaken. Tonight, they’ll go in for the things you mentioned. We can send them back to watch tomorrow.”
I nodded, surprised, but not concerned. I had a plan B.
“So it looks like, in order to find Blake, I’ll need to call the lawyer.”
“It can’t hurt,” he said.
I picked up the hotel phone and dialed the number I’d memorized. A receptionist answered. I gave my name and asked to speak to Mr. Nolan. She said that he was in a meeting and asked for a return number. But when I said I’d just try back later, she quickly asked me to hold.
The line clicked, then a man came on.
“Ms. Daniels. Thank you for contacting us.” He went through the usual offer of condolences then explained why he’d been looking for me. He wanted to read the will and discuss the details of Richard’s estate with me.
Estate? Will? I’d never given any of that any thought. I glanced at Emmitt. He had his head tilted, watching me. I was sure he could hear both ends of the conversation.
“How soon can we meet?” I asked.
“Mr. Torrin said he would be available whenever you were. My schedule is open on Thursday. Is there a time that day that works for you?”
“Let me check.” I put my hand over the receiver, needing a minute to think it through. Why would Blake not watch the house? Why would Richard give me the number of a lawyer with whom Blake also had contact? The answers lay in the meeting with the lawyer. I moved my hand.
“How does ten sound?” I asked.
“Perfect. I’ll see you Thursday at ten.”
After I hung up, I sat on the bed, thinking. Although I wanted to meet with Blake to find out what he knew about my gift, I didn’t want to walk into a trap. I needed to get more information about the will and Blake’s involvement.
Emmitt sat back and watched me as I grabbed the phone book.
* * * *
Three hours later, when I hung up the phone, my head spun from all of the information I’d won. The will, which was straightforward, had gone to probate. Richard’s estate included properties I hadn’t known he owned. Everything went to me as sole beneficiary.
I didn’t understand why he’d left everything to me, his stepdaughter, when he had two sons of his own. Then, I realized by not naming them in the will, Richard had protected them. Blake had no reason to pursue my brothers, unless he still wanted to use them to control me. It also meant that Richard had put a lot of faith in me to take my brothers with me when I ran. And, he had trusted me to keep them safe.
Since Richard hadn’t specified an executor, one had been appointed. There’d been no surprise when I’d been told Blake was trying to contest it. By being an executor, he’d have control of everything in my absence. After speaking with the court appointed executor, I could see no reason there even needed to be a meeting other than to get us in the open so Blake could do whatever it was he had planned.
“I don’t think we should go,” I said to Emmitt.
He frowned thoughtfully. “If we don’t, Blake is still out there and this trip will have been for nothing.”
He moved to sit near me on the bed and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “The lawyer’s in the phone book. I checked, so we know he’s real. Even if he’s being paid off, he’d have to be careful with what he’s involved in.”
“But what if Blake brings people with him, like Frank and that other guy?”
“We’ll bring more powerful people.”
I liked Grey and Carlos well enough but didn’t think they could take on Blake’s entire following. “Three, no matter how strong or fast they are, against an unknown number, doesn’t seem like a good idea.”
He grinned at me. “Not just us. One thing Blake won’t want is people knowing what’s going on. I heard you talking and heard how much Richard’s properties are worth. Call the news. Bring them with. Say you want to donate half of your inheritance to a charity. With a camera on you, he can’t touch you.”
I remembered the video of Richard’s mauling and doubted his plan would be as safe as he thought. Blake hadn’t seemed too concerned about public exposure, then.
We debated what to do until just past dark and our stomachs growled. With no better options, I called the local news.
Emmitt was right. As soon as I mentioned an eight-figure inheritance, I had the media’s attention. The person I spoke with took down the information for the lawyer and agreed to have someone there.
I managed to say goodbye before Emmitt plucked the phone from my hands.
“Enough for tonight,” he said gently.
I nodded in agreement. I was emotionally drained and ready for bed, but Emmitt insisted we eat. I grinned, knowing he was the hungry one this time. He ordered room service while I took a shower.
My thoughts kept running over what I knew about Blake. Why fight to get control of Richard’s assets? Yes, the number was large, but what about Blake’s take? He should have made at least that amount. I’d always given the tips to Blake via phone or in person. Except that last time.