Chapter 31
After receiving word about the flight delay, Henri took advantage of his extra time in Paris by deciding to check the records on file at the Universal Paranormal High Council’s French office. Heading in that direction, he hoped to find proof of a connection between his son and Artur MacDùghlas.
It was a long shot, but after finding a letter from Artur to his lawyer requesting the drafting of a new will, Henri hoped it was on file with the High Council. If he was lucky, it would provide the proof he’d been searching for. If not, there were more files waiting for him to search in the concealed room in Artur’s office. While it was time-consuming to search through them, at least he no longer had to worry about being discovered, since Hunter told him he was free to do so; Fionn had no objections.
Henri wasn’t sure how Hunter knew about his midnight visits but he wasn’t going to look a gift horse (or wolf, in this case) in the mouth. From that moment on, he spent every free moment in the room, but there were still three-quarters of the file cabinets to go through. Refusing to get discouraged, he vowed to continue the search for his son. Spying a car pulling out of a parking spot in front of his destination, he deftly swung the SUV into it.
Climbing out, he made sure it was locked before heading into the three-story white building, inwardly groaning at the long line in front of the help window. Henri paused a moment, weighing his options, then joined the line. He had at least a couple of hours before the plane was scheduled to land and if it would save him another trip here, then it was worth it.
Twenty minutes later, Henri approached the shifter behind the glass, giving her a smile before explaining what he wanted. Following her directions, he headed through a door on his right where he saw scores of computers set up on rows of tables. Looking around, he saw a number of them were in use by a wide range of paranormals. Using his acute sense of smell, he avoided choosing the chairs next to vampires and large predator shifters, finally zeroing in on a vacant spot in a corner. But before he could take a step, an attractive woman approached him.
“Hello, I’m Edna. Have you used our computers before to access our records?”
Inhaling lightly before smiling at the porcupine shifter, he answered, “Hi, I’m Henri…I’m afraid not. Is there anything I should know before I begin?”
“Just a few things…follow me and I’ll get you started on your search.”
“Uhm…thanks,” Henri replied, gratefully, as she led him over to the computer he’d selected.
“Have a seat,” Edna said, standing to the side. Then dropping her voice, murmured, “I thought you’d be more comfortable by yourself. We size-challenged shifters have to stick together.”
“Isn’t that the truth?” Henri smiled. “How long have you worked here?”
Winking at Henri, Edna murmured, “Some days it feels like it’s been too long, but then there are days when I meet a handsome gentleman like you…”
Blushing, Henri dropped his gaze, finding his tongue tied in knots. Edna was flirting with him, at least he thought so, but he couldn’t remember the last time it had happened. Ever since his son left, his days were taken up with either searching for him or taking care of his sick wife, leaving him little time for anything else. But he couldn’t ignore the loneliness that had gnawed at him ever since his wife died and he knew he’d be lonelier yet if his search of MacDùghlas’ records failed to produce the location of his son. If that happened, his quest would finally be over with nothing left to hope for.
Giving himself a mental shake, Henri reminded himself that he wasn’t betraying his wife’s memory by warming to Edna’s attentions. Lifting his eyes to her, he said, “Thank you but I’m the lucky one today because meeting you is a very unexpected, but pleasant surprise.”
A soft giggle escaped from Edna. Her first impression of the fox shifter when he walked through the door was correct; a refined gentleman through and through. Pulling an empty chair over, she sat down next to Henri, nudging the mouse to bring up the search window. “What are you looking for today?”
“Well…Artur MacDùghlas’ Will. He was a dragon, if that’s important.”
Nodding, Edna pulled the keyboard over to her and started typing. “Not every dragon files their will with the High Council…some do it with the Dragon Council and others won’t record their wills at all.”
“Any reason they don’t?” asked Henri.
Shrugging, Edna replied, “Suspicious of the government knowing too much about their affairs seems to be the usual reason given, but I personally think it goes back to the secretive nature of dragons. I haven’t met one yet who’s open about their hoard or the value of it even though dragons are required by law to keep an up-to-date list of every item in it.”
That was news to Henri. “Would I be able to find a copy of MacDùghlas’ list here?”
“No, unfortunately not…it goes back to what I said about dragon’s secretive nature. While they are required to keep a list, they are not obligated to produce it unless there’s a dispute.” Edna squinted at the screen. “Hmm…”
“What?” Henri asked, peering at the computer and trying to make sense of what he saw.
“Well, MacDùghlas’ will isn’t on file anywhere, but it appears there was a probate case in California and it was filed with the Court as part of the pleadings.” Clicking a few more keys, Edna finally sat back in her chair and said, “I’m printing it out for you. Normally, you’d have to request it through the Clerk of the Court where the case was filed but the will was also submitted to the High Council along with a request to dismiss a guardian case concerning a Fionn MacDùghlas.”
Henri smiled. “I really appreciate your help.”
“It was my pleasure,” Edna said, patting Henri’s hand. “Anything else I can help you with?”
Thinking for a moment, Henri wanted to ask if Edna could search for his son’s death certificate but wasn’t sure if he was ready to learn his son was gone. His mind told him he was, but Henri’s heart refused to accept it, which is what had kept him searching all these years. Finally deciding to do it only if the will didn’t mention his son, he said, “Maybe… I just want to check MacDùghlas’ will first.”
“Certainly,” Edna said, rising. “I’ll be right back with it.”
Henri’s eyes lingered on her as she walked away and, for the first time since his wife died, he felt a small bud of desire beginning to germinate deep inside him. It certainly was unexpected; he didn’t think it would happen to him anymore, especially with a porcupine shifter but then…why not?Lost in thought, he failed to realize Edna had returned until she sat down next to him again.
“Here,” Edna said, handing MacDùghlas’ will to Henri.
