Dana sighed.“I know it’s probably a useless battle but even after two years, I cannot accept that my dad would have knowingly been involved in a Ponzi scheme, that he committed fraud, took money from his clients, and didn’t invest it through the proper channels.And, of course, I keep thinking if I could have gotten him out on bail, he would still be alive.”
Caitlin gave her a hug.“And you’re trying to prove he didn’t commit suicide.”
“Everyone keeps telling me there is no other explanation, but I know him.He would never have done anything to harm his family.I firmly believe that.”
“And your mother isn’t making your life any easier.”Caitlin grimaced.“I know she’s your mother, but really, the way she’s treating you in spite of everything you do for her makes me so mad.”
“Her world collapsed when my dad died.”Dana shrugged.
She loved her mother but had never really understood her.Dana had long ago accepted the fact her mother didn’t know what to do with a little girl.George was the oldest, the one her mother wanted, but Dana wasn’t planned, a fact she’d heard often enough.
And now the irony of the whole situation was that her mom was dependent on Dana.And she tried to keep her happy, tried to provide for her every need, but on a teacher’s salary that wasn’t easy.There had been a life insurance policy, but according to her mother, it was not enough for her to live on.
“You can’t continue to give in to her every demand, Dana.It must be so exhausting.”
Dana shrugged and smiled.“Fortunately, your mother is close by—she has been a wonderful friend.Ever since you and I became friends at school, your mom has been my mom as well.She was the one who urged me to find out what really happened with my dad.Without all of your support, it would have been much more difficult to cope.”
“Do you have any leads at this point?”
“I do.Well, I hope so.It’s taken me two years but I’ve finally managed to track down one of the journalists who worked on the story, and I have an appointment to see him on my return.He was apparently not the one who wrote the story, but I’m hoping he can put me in touch with his colleague.”
“Please remember we want to help, okay?But enough of all this gloom.Let’s have a drink.”
“I really wish I could, but I have an early flight tomorrow.”
Caitlin frowned.“I know you said you were leaving, but I thought you’d take a later flight.”
“Who’s taking a flight?”Don asked coming up behind Caitlin and putting his arms around her.
Caitlin beamed and lifted her face for a kiss from her husband.Dana swallowed the sudden lump in her throat.These two obviously loved each other to bits.She was so glad for her friend but had made peace with the fact that such bliss was meant only for a chosen few people, and clearly Dana wasn’t one of them.
“Dana is leaving early tomorrow morning,” Caitlin complained.“I thought we’d still have a few hours together tomorrow.We’re only leaving on Wednesday.You should have stayed until then.”
“I have to get back,” Dana said.
“Why don’t you go with David?”Don asked.“He’s leaving for Cape Town just before lunch on the company plane.No one else is going back so soon, so there is definitely a seat for you.Let me check with him.”He smiled, and before Dana could say anything, he was beckoning David over.
It was one of those times she wished the floor would open up so she could disappear.
“You guys have paid for my plane ticket.It’s not necessary—” she tried, but David was already strolling toward them.
“Of course we did,” Caitlin said.“You were still teaching and couldn’t fly out with us when we came.”
Dana tried to duck behind one of the people in the crowd.
“Are you still the only passenger on the plane tomorrow?”Don asked David.
Dana hissed.“Don, really, I’m totally fine.I have a ticket and—”
“Yes,” David said.“Who else needs a ride?”
“Dana here.”Don pulled her closer.
David’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“I have the plane ticket you’ve paid for, and I’m leaving early,” Dana said nearly desperately.“I don’t—”
“Oh, but you do.”David took her hand.“What kind of a friend would I be if I didn’t offer you a seat on our plane?If I’d known you were leaving, I would have suggested it myself.”
