What started out as a great morning had turned into hell on earth.
“We’re about to watch the news,” Noir said. “We haven’t seen it yet.” He glanced up. “Can the three of you be nice to each other?”
“We can.” Carter wrapped his arm around Weezer. It didn’t appear as if he was protecting her, but more like keeping her from attacking.
“I’m going to make some coffee,” Weezer said. “We’ve already seen the news.”
“Tamsyn, really. We need to go,” Anna whispered. “We’ll talk in the car.”
“I’m not going anywhere, so either make yourself comfortable or leave.” Tamsyn hadn’t meant to sound so brutal. She just wanted to get on with it. “Now, can everyone be quiet so I can unpause this thing?”
“We’ve obtained bank records,”Alison said as images of canceled checks flashed on the screen next to her overstated face and unnatural blond hair.“…from an anonymous source that we’ve since validated that shows Carter River did indeed give money to Elizabeth Tuttle. This isn’t a check here or there. This is at least one or two payouts a year for ten years. Why would Carter River be giving Elizabeth Tuttle money? Especially when it has been proven he’s not Tamsyn’s father.”The screen changed and the paternity test appeared.
“How the hell did she get that?” Tamsyn muttered. “The only people who have a copy are me and Carter.”
“My copy is missing,” Carter said. “We found that out when we went through my home office.”
Tamsyn pointed the clicker and paused the TV. “You didn’t tell me that, why?”
“That was one of the things I planned on talking to you two about this morning.” Carter took the mug that Weezer offered and handed it to Anna.
That was nice.
But she shook her head, plopping herself in a seat at the table by the door, clutching her damn bag.
So Carter brought it to Tamsyn and she wasn’t about to turn away caffeine.
She brought it to her lips and the hot liquid rolled past her throat and into her stomach. “Oh God. That’s good. Thanks, Weezer.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
Anna made some weird noise that sounded like she swore under her breath.
“Please, continue, Carter. I need to understand why you neglected to tell me something that is as important as that,” Tamsyn said.
“That document is benign. It puts to rest a lot of questions and Alison had already made mention of it, so at first glance, it going missing could have been as simple as me filing it at my office instead of in my home. But I didn’t do that either.” Carter handed a mug to Noir and then made himself comfortable on the sofa with his back to Anna. “I still didn’t think too hard on it. Again, it was a piece of news that shouldn’t matter anymore. Until you put it in that context and add in your mother’s remains being found on my property.”
“Can we listen to the rest of the newscast and then discuss this?” Weezer asked. “In private.”
“Tamsyn.” Anna abruptly stood. “I’d like to go.”
“You can leave, if you’d like,” Tamsyn said.
“I need you to come with me.” Anna’s voice trembled. A tear dribbled down her cheek.
Tamsyn sucked in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. The tension in the air wrapped her body like a straitjacket. She rose, handing Noir her coffee. “I’m not going to leave this second. But how about I meet you in two hours for a late breakfast and we can talk then.”
Anna took her hands and held them with a death grip. “I don’t want you to stay here. Please, I’m begging you. Come with me.”
“I’ll see you at the diner.” Tamsyn kissed Anna’s cheek. “Two hours. I promise.”
“Fine.” Anna adjusted her bag.
“Don’t forget we’re decorating the main hall tonight for the showcase.” Weezer glanced over her shoulder and smiled, although it was anything but sweet. “The Holiday Showcase is tomorrow. We have a lot of work cut out for us.”
“I’ll be there.” Anna nodded. “Don’t you be late, honey.” Anna squeezed Tamsyn’s hands. She turned on her heel and stomped out the door in a huff.
“She’s so exhausting sometimes,” Tamsyn mumbled.
