Of course Cam remained in the know. He retired under stormy circumstances. The public demanded more access and answers about the missing Tanners, but the town’s frustration shifted to the FBI. Everyone, including those who used to work for Cam, stuck by him.
“Not that Aubrey looks worried,” Cam added.
My attention zipped back to her. She wore a black pantsuit. The ensemble looked expensive. An impressive feat from someone who’d been off the grid for more than a decade.
For the thousandth time since she’d walked into that courtroom days ago, questions about where she’d been swirled in my head. Someone had to know something. She’d been fifteen. Even with her big brain and ability to weasel out of any situation, she would have needed help. A place to live. Money. Support to keep her hidden.
“Weird.” That was all I could think to say.
Cam let out a rough laugh. “Isn’t everything with the Tanner family?”
That’s just it. No. “Sixteen years ago I would have disagreed. Every day since they vanished I’ve had a different answer.”
They’d been a messy family back then. Far more financially stable than most. More argumentative and judging than many. But alive. Together. Gathered around for dinner. Patrick and Victoria excited to attend Noah’s soccer games.
“Regardless of what Aubrey does, you need to be prepared.” Cam’s stare met mine. “This meeting isn’t going to go the way you think it is. I know because Xavier named me as the estate’s executor.”
“Since when?”
“This morning.” Cam shook his head. “Earlier, of course, but that’s when I found out. Leave it to Xavier to keep it a secret and dump the responsibility on me without notice.”
Stella was right. Xavier had played games. He loved to manipulate people and keep them guessing. This sounded like one last move, but I couldn’t figure out why.
“The attorney delivered an envelope to me earlier with instructions and information. I didn’t realize there was more involved until now...” Cam’s voice trailed off. Like he wanted to say more but stopped himself.
I’d felt guilty for destroying their relationship all this time. “You told me the friendship was never the same after that night.”
“It wasn’t.” Without a clearer explanation, Cam walked over and sat down next to the attorney.
Call it a change in the air or intuition but things were about to shift again. I felt it and dreaded it.
Well played, Xavier.
Chapter Sixteen
Hanna
I wanted to start this day over. Climb back into bed and stay there. Carve out a safe space and breathe through the building panic that Xavier’s death was the beginning of a nightmare, not an end to one.
Daniela had thrown a fit when I dumped cleanup duties on her and slipped out of the café. Totally understandable. I’d played the boss card. Not my usual style but desperation had my thoughts in a tailspin. With a mumbled apology, I promised to be back as soon as possible.
The only good news was that Jeremy had headed back to school for some social event debauchery I didn’t want any details about. He wasn’t in attendance at the meeting even though the letter from the attorney had been addressed to both of us. The paragraphs made clear that I could attend on behalf of Jeremy because he wasn’t yet twenty-one.
Every legal word sounded like a threat. A harbinger of bad news to come.
Xavier, what did you do?
The attorney finally started talking. The low rumble of his voice lacked emotion. I barely heard him over the banging of my heartbeat in my ears. More than once I felt the heat of someone staring at me. Challenging me to answer why I deserved to be in the room.
I didn’t. I didn’t want any part of this. I definitely didn’t want Jeremy dragged into whatever disaster Xavier’s devious mind had planned on his way out.
The attorney stopped talking. I had no idea what he’d said but his droning had held the rest of the room in his thrall. Isabel sat forward. Even Aubrey, who had been relaxing against the wall, stood up straight. She was the only one on her feet. Everyone else had taken a seat. I’d dropped into the nearest chair as soon as I walked into the room out of fear my legs wouldn’t hold me much longer.
“Xavier wanted all of you to know what provisions he’d made. The court will weigh in on the assets that require probate. Until then there are some logistics that need to be worked out. After that, anyone who wishes to contest or make a claim can.” The attorney glanced at Aubrey when he said that last part. “So, I will read the provisions in list form. Admittedly, I’ve never done an actual in-person reading before, but with everything that’s happened I wanted to at least honor this part of Xavier’s request and inform you all together of his final wishes.”
More than one of us looked at Aubrey. If she was worried about what came next she didn’t show it. Her expression bordered on serene. Unbothered. She stood there with her bag dangling fromone hand and a cup of coffee in the other, like a young mother waiting for a parent-teacher conference.
I yearned to achieve that level of nonchalance. I’d bumbled my way through my twenties and was only slightly less awkward now. Yet, here was Aubrey, out in the open and relishing being the center of attention after years of being cut off from any.
