Something’s happened.
“What’s going on?” My heart is in my throat when I take the phone.
“I’ve been calling you for thirty minutes,” Brady grouses. “You didn’t answer, so I had to callhim.”
“I was in the shower. What’s the problem?” Because I can tell by his tone there is one.
Silence. Then a heavy sigh.
“Sera.” My stomach tightens. “Aaron’s family got a ruling on their petition to have him declared presumptively deceased.”
“What? I didn’t even know they were doing that. What about the emails? The postcards he sent them?”
Another pause. Longer this time. “The court doesn’t consider that proof of life.”
My grip tightens on the phone. I know what’s coming. Turning slightly, to give Liev my back, I wrap an arm around my middle as if it can protect me from the dread forming a pit in my stomach.
“I was served today. They’ve filed a wrongful death suit against you and me.”
For a few seconds, I can’t speak. It feels like the air has been sucked out of my lungs.
I’m never going to be able to move on.
“Okay,” I say finally, surprised by how even my voice sounds.
“Elizabeth thinks they’ll serve you once you’re back in town. There’s nothing really new in the paperwork. Just the allegations they’ve always made, except for one thing.”
“What?”
“They are demanding the return of any items Aaron left in your possession before the end of your relationship.”
My eyebrows pinch together. “I don’t have anything of his.”
“I know,” he acknowledges grimly. “I threw out everything that even looked remotely like it might be his when I emptiedyour condo. Elizabeth had a friend of hers look at the paperwork, and she says it’s unusual to have that clause included. She thinks they’re looking for something specific, and that if you return it, they might be appeased.”
“Why wouldn’t they just say that? If I have whatever it is they want, I’d give it to them.”
My throat tightens.
Something about this feels wrong. Very,verywrong.
“I know,” Brady says in my ear. “I don’t want you to worry too much about this. You didn’t do anything to him. They don’t have a case.”
I close my eyes briefly. “Right.”
As if that’s what matters. They’ll tie me up in court for years, and I’ll never be free.
“Anything else?”
Another long pause.
“How’s the assignment going?”
“It’s fine,” I say, swallowing. “But I should go. Dinner’s here.”
There is no way I’ll be able to eat now.
“Love you.”
