"So they used the arrow to find an animal, aim at it, shoot it, and then eat it?" Posey asks.
"Essentially, yes," I say weakly. I glance at Ms. Webster for backup.
She kneels beside Posey, explaining the unique stones and how arrowheads were crafted. Surprisingly, the technical details hold Posey's attention completely.
"Can you still find arrowheads in the ground?" she asks when the explanation concludes.
"Sometimes. You read about discoveries in the papers from time to time."
Posey whirls around to face me, eyes sparkling with a new mission. "Tara, I want to find an arrowhead!"
Suddenly, I hear footsteps echoing across the marble floor behind us.
A male voice echoes off the marble.
"Well, well. Look what we have here."
I turn to see Jason Abernathy approaching with that predatory smile I remember from the Swain-Black dinner.
He moves toward Posey with practiced confidence. "Hey Posey, it's your Uncle Jason. Can I have a hug?"
He kneels and allows her to put her little arms around him.
"Hi Uncle Jason," she says politely, quick to step away.
Ms. Webster straightens, clearly recognizing him. "Mr. Abernathy. How nice to see you."
"I was just in the neighborhood, conducting some business with my attorney," Jason says, rising gracefully. "On impulse, I thought I'd come in and visit."
The way he says “attorney” gives me an unsettling feeling.
"Uncle Jason, did you know this is my wing?" Posey asks with innocent pride.
I watch Jason's jaw tighten almost imperceptibly.
How will he respond to this?
"Well, is that so?"
Ms. Webster and I exchange glances as the tension thickens in the room.
"Please don't let me interrupt Posey's educational experience," Jason continues smoothly. "Though I hope you're sharing the complete family history."
He steps closer to the portrait of the Abernathy ancestors, his presence somehow making the spacious hall feel smaller.
"It's fascinating how perspectives can change, isn't it?" he says conversationally. "What seems permanent one day can be reassessed the next. Especially when new information comes to light."
"Tara, I want to go find arrowheads now," Posey says, tugging on my hand. Her usual chatter has quieted, and I suspect she's picking up on the adult tensions swirling around her.
"Of course." I squeeze her hand reassuringly, grateful for the excuse to leave. "Ms. Webster, thank you so much for the tour."
"My pleasure entirely," she replies, though she keeps glancing nervously at Jason.
As we move toward the exit, Jason falls into step beside us.
"Enjoy your arrowhead hunting," he calls after us once we reach the main doors. "Though I'd be careful about digging too deep. You never know what you might uncover."
The warning follows us out into the afternoon sunlight. Had he been following us? Was this a warning of sorts? He's planning something. It's now clear he wants his share of the Abernathy fortune.
