The Country Guesthouse (Sullivan's Crossing #5)(55)

“That’s right,” Cal said. “You’re a good parent and this arrangement was decided by Erin. It’s very cooperative of you to put up with Victoria’s visit, giving her a chance to know Noah. But that’s all. We won’t let you be coerced or bullied. You’re going to be surrounded by people, including me, who watch every second of the visit. And I’m going to deepen my background check on her. Something is missing.”

“She’s a little too slick,” Helen said, stirring cream into her coffee. “She doesn’t have the look of a woman who wants to be a cuddly grandmother.”

“She looks so young and beautiful,” Kate said.

“That’s not the look I’m referring to. Beautiful and youthful women can be loving and devoted grandmothers, fun grandmothers. I didn’t buy the tears or the pleas of regret and I absolutely don’t believe she was afraid to come to the funeral because she had a notion everyone hated her. Where would she get an idea like that? She didn’t know you. You weren’t in touch with her at all. If she wanted to know her grandson, why didn’t she show up the moment she heard of her daughter’s death and beg for a chance to see him, get to know him? She should have been at her daughter’s house before the funeral. I would have been in the car and driving inside thirty minutes! What’s the drive? Four hours or less? Yet she wasn’t even heard from. I’ll tell you why—because Erin’s death was completely unexpected and I’d bet my next royalty check that when she heard Erin had died she was terrified she’d get stuck with a kid and that’s why she hid out. A kid on crutches, yet. I bet she was worried about what Erin’s death might’ve cost her. Then something changed. Could she have found out there was an inheritance?”

“The custody is a matter of public record but not details like that,” Cal said. “For example, it is not accessible public record how much was inherited or how much insurance was paid. We can’t look up each other’s bank balances. But can that information be found out? When people talk, it can.”

“None of us would.”

“You told me there was a trust,” Helen said.

“But I never said how much,” Hannah said. “I just said it seemed generous unless Noah wanted to go to medical school or something.”

“No worries, I haven’t mentioned its existence to anyone,” Helen said. “But we should all stretch our brains. Find out what the connections are between Victoria and Noah’s future. The babysitter? Someone in Erin’s legal practice? A neighbor? Because the one thing that is undeniable—Victoria Addison didn’t come out of the woodwork until weeks after her daughter’s death. Something changed. It’s possible what changed is she found out there was money.”

Cal looked at her and gave a sly smile. “Helen, would you like to work for me?”

“My mind just works that way,” Helen said. “It frightens Sully to death.”

  Hannah knew all about Roger Addison’s record in the criminal justice system but she knew next to nothing about Victoria. Cal thought it might be good for all of them to know more—like how she earned her money, spent her time and entertained herself—some of the minor details that wouldn’t make it into legal documents that were a matter of public record. He and one of the freelance investigators who served his law practice were right on it, hoping to pull together a better profile before visitation began.

Hannah thought it would be a good idea to talk with Noah. As usual he was extremely mature and accepting. “I have a grandma, then?” he asked. “I thought so.”

“And she wants to meet you,” Hannah said. “In a couple of weeks we’re inviting her over. You can spend an hour or two with her.”

“Is she nice?” he asked.

“I don’t know,” Hannah said. “I guess we’ll find out. It’s for a short time, just because you don’t know each other and she wants to know you. I’ll be with you and Owen will be near. Maybe you can introduce her to Romeo and show her how to fish.”

“What if Romeo knocks her in the lake?” he said, showing Hannah a devilish grin.

“Do you remember your mom saying anything about your grandma?” Hannah asked.

“I think they didn’t like each other that much,” he said. “But is she mean?”

“I only met her for a few minutes, Noah, and she seemed nice. But don’t worry—we’re all going to visit with her together. She’ll be perfectly nice because if she’s not, she won’t be asked to stay for lunch. How’s that?”

“Probably a good idea,” he said. “Owen better show her how to fish. Maybe I can show her how I can swim.”

“Your swimming is impressive, that’s for sure,” Hannah said. “Since she lives in Minneapolis, I don’t think there will be many visits.”

“But, Hannah, you live in Minneapolis,” he said. “Hey, maybe we should just stay here!”

“Clever, Noah. I just haven’t figured out how I’m going to support us if I don’t go back to my job. If I don’t work, how do I pay the bills and buy groceries? How much do you like food?”

“Not that much,” he said, grinning.

  Just a few days before their first meeting, the last week in July, Owen surprised them with news of visitors. “I hope this doesn’t complicate an already complicated situation. Sheila, her husband, Lucas, and their daughters want to come for quick visit.”