“Wow, this is sounding more and more like something out of a thriller.What does David think?”
“He has contacts and is going to find out when Sam Jordan bought the house in Kleinmond and for what amount.From there, he can follow the money.I think we should talk to Jordan again.”
“Please, promise me you’ll wait for David before you talk to anyone again?I don’t like the sound of this man.”
“You sound like your mother.”Dana smiled.“But I have been doing things for myself for quite some time, you know?”
“I know.Talking about things, what about your car?”
“Well, if David had his way, I would have had a car already,” Dana grumbled and told Caitlin about the car they’d seen on Saturday.
“But that’s wonderful, Dana, why don’t you—”
“I can buy my own car, thank you very much.But the price sounds right, and I like the car, so I’ll give the guy a call later today.”
“It’s okay to lean on someone else every now and then, you know,” Caitlin said.“Especially if you’re sleeping with him.”She giggled.
“I can’t believe you said that!”Dana cried out, crossly.“That’s exactly why I’ll buy my own car.I’m not sleeping with him because he can get me things!”
“I know that.”Caitlin laughed.“But men like to think they are in charge even if they’re not.”
“Well, I don’t need a man to buy a car.I’m quite capable of doing it by myself.”
“Okay, Miss Independent, let me know what you’re getting!”Caitlin sang before they ended the call.
Dana scrolled down the contacts on her phone.There were two calls she wanted to make.One was to the car dealer and one was to her mother’s financial advisor.She was going to take David’s advice and talk to this guy to try and find out how bad her mother’s financial situation really was.
*
Dana took adeep steadying breath.“Let me get this straight.So what you’re saying is that my mother gets a generous income.Every month.”
“Yes, of course the exact amount is confidential, but what I can tell you is that your mother is well provided for, even if she lived to be a hundred.”
“Thank you.I appreciate you taking the time to talk to me,” Dana managed before her phone dropped from her fingers.She bent forward, feeling sick.How could her mother do this?She’d always tried to find an excuse for her mother’s behavior, tried to explain away why her mother treated her so badly, but this time…
Why, then, would her mother constantly claim poverty, beg, and take her money?Did her brother know?
Her phone rang and, still shocked, she answered.
“Miss Roux?This is Barry Cox, the car dealer.You were at our showroom on Saturday.I’m phoning about the car you looked at.”
“Oh… yes?”she said, her head still reeling from the news she had just received.
The man’s voice droned on.She was going to phone George in Dubai.It should still be daytime over there.Surely he would know?But why hadn’t he said anything?
“All you will pay for is the difference.”Barry’s voice finally penetrated her thoughts.
“What difference?”she asked.
Barry cleaned his throat.“Oh, dear.I wasn’t supposed to say that, but…” He laughed nervously.“Let me bring the car, and we can finish the paperwork—”
“What difference?”she repeated coldly.
“Um… Mr.Cavallo is paying for half of the car and you—”
Dana ended the call and threw her phone on the coffee table.She felt light-headed.Someone had just pierced her heart with a sharp object.There was no oxygen in the room—why couldn’t she breathe?
Her mother had been using her, taking her money even though she knew very well how little teachers were paid.And David had simply ignored what she’d said.What was she—chopped bloody liver?
