St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Date: March 22, 2025
To: Jayce Keller (Possible Alias: Julian McKay)
P.O. Box 417
Blue Lake, CA 95244
RE: Estate of John Julian McKay, Deceased
Dear Mr. Keller,
Our firm represents the estate of John Julian McKay, deceased, currently under administration through the Circuit Court of Pinellas County, Florida. Court records list you as a potential beneficiary and next of kin.
We are attempting to verify your current contact information in connection with the distribution of Mr. McKay’s estate. Pleasecontact our office within thirty (30) days of receipt of this notice to confirm your identity and provide a forwarding address.
If we do not hear from you within that time, the estate may proceed to final distribution under Florida probate law, and any undistributed assets may be held in trust or transferred to the state’s unclaimed property division until properly claimed.
This correspondence is not a summons or legal action but an official notice requiring your response regarding an estate matter.
Sincerely,
Renee Goody, Esq.
Leva & Goody, Attorneys at Law
Estate and Probate Division
My grandfather is dead. I guess I’m supposed to feelsomething, but other than some obscure memories, I can’t summon a connection to him or any real emotion. Right now, his death is wreaking havoc on my life and the people in it. I quickly dial the number on the bottom of the letterhead. When the receptionist answers, I ask to speak to Renee Goody, the attorney that signed the letter.
“She’s in a meeting. Can I take a message?” The chipper voice pauses and waits for my answer.
I leave my name and number and that I received her letter. The chipper receptionist assures me Mrs. Goody will return my call as soon as possible. Now I wait. And hope that fucking degenerate, Todd, doesn’t approach anyone I know. In good conscience I should tell them he approached me at the carnival, that my grandfather died and probably left me money, and that my father now wants it. I want to tell them. Or, more accurately, I want to protect them from his lowlife ass. But every fiber of my being wants tonotclaim him or come cleanabout my past. Todd is right about one thing. I am ashamed of where and who I come from. Who could blame me? Still I plan to solve this without involving anyone else—especially Ever and Taya. That means I’ve gotta go back to the trailer park.
As I’m shoving the letter back into the console, a sheriff’s cruiser rolls to a stop behind my Jeep in the roundabout. Blowing out a breath through puffed cheeks, I unfold myself from the driver’s side and turn to greet the deputies. Working my way around to spilling the tea that the break-in may have been my fault, I step toward them as they exit the vehicle.
Chapter 10
Everly
“Idon’t know why you and Julian hate the carnival so much. It’s fun—especially when you can experience it through the lens of a kid.” Seth grins like one as he harps on at me.
I take a whopping bite of the funnel cake in my hand and feel the rush of sugar to my veins. I tagged along with him, Noah and Lilly for the last day of the carnival while they chaperone their younger siblings. Seth is ecstatic to get a second day here. My only response is a groan as I swipe powdered sugar off my lips with the back of my hand.
“Oh, no. Don’t even act like you’re not enjoying this to spite him. I see you, Davis.” Lilly tosses her chin toward me in challenge.
“He can go have his sleuthing moment with his ex. I’m fine.”
“You seem fine, chowing on a funnel cake that has a year’s worth of sugar in one bite.”
“Whatever. It’s a cheat day. Let it go.”
“I was just about to say that to you.”
“What? Let it go? I said I’m fine.”
“Why didn’t you just tell him the Taya thing is delicate and he better tread lightly?”
