High-Stakes Inheritance

by Susan Sleeman

  “I’ll do my best to keep my promise, Mia, but I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I wanted you to learn to trust me again.” He waited for her to bolt, run for cover at his honesty, but she kept her eyes locked on his.

  Softness claimed her vibrant green eyes before they drifted closed and long lashes lay on her cheeks. “I’m not there yet, but I hope at some point I’ll be ready to do that.”

  “Then that’s all I can ask for.” He sucked in a cleansing breath and shook off the heaviness that had settled over them.

  As a counselor, he knew the progress they had already made was amazing, but she needed more time. He glanced at her. A sense of urgency to move forward and restore her faith in him surged through his veins.

  Why was this suddenly so important to him? So pressing?

  A flash of Cara lying on the floor with a knife lodged in her stomach shot into his brain, chilling him.

  Please keep Mia safe, Lord. And if it’s Your will, show me the way to earn her respect.

  Life could end in a flash and with the warnings growing more threatening, he might not have all the time in the world to gain Mia’s respect and trust.

  Mia watched Ryan’s body tense up so as they walked she engaged him in conversation about Wilderness Ways to lighten the mood. It didn’t take him long to relax and settle into a comfortable banter with her. She enjoyed walking next to him much the same way they had as teens. Liked it more than she cared to admit. There was a warm current of some sort floating around them and it reminded her of when they were so well-connected they could finish each other’s sentences.

  She glanced up at his face that conveyed he was as contented as she was. But she couldn’t let that feeling lead her into making another mistake with him. As much as he wanted her to trust him, she couldn’t. Maybe never would. She needed to focus on finding out who was threatening her, not on something that was likely never to come about.

  Bandit tugged on his leash, and she changed her focus to the barn. Her mood soured. The north wall where she’d been trapped remained standing, but the rest of the barn huddled on the ground in mounds of ashes and charred wood. The closer they came, the stronger the noxious scent grew. The water-laden ground sucked at her shoes. She picked up Bandit to keep his injured leg clean and moved on. Each step took concentration so she wouldn’t slip into the slimy muck.

  Sadly, this was exactly the way she’d felt since Uncle Wally died. Like all her positive energy had been sucked from her, and she had to fight with each step from going under. But no more. She’d keep moving forward—no matter the challenge.

  Ryan suddenly spun around. “This is as far as you go.”

  Feeling belligerent from the loss of control in her life, Mia wanted to argue, but he was giving of his time to help her so she acquiesced and nodded her understanding.

  He slipped on gloves and picked his way through the debris. His steps were slow and measured until he reached the spot where the main entrance would have been. “The door is still partially standing,” he yelled as he bent to dig through the charred wood.

  She tried to be patient but as time passed, she had to see if he’d found anything. Careful not to get her shoes too mucky, she tiptoed closer. “What’s going on?”

  He stood. “There’s no chain.”

  “What? There has to be a chain. You said you saw it the day of the fire.”

  He stepped through the debris to join her. “Well, there’s nothing there now. Maybe Russ took it for evidence.”

  “Not likely Russ even knew the lock had any significance.”

  “Only one way to be sure.” Ryan pulled off his gloves and stuffed them in his back pocket then reached for his cell.

  “Are you sure you want to ask him? It might make him come back here again.”

  “I can ask in a way that he won’t suspect a thing.” Ryan dialed, but Mia’s mind went to the puzzle and tuned him out.

  Assuming Russ didn’t take the chain, why would it be gone? Did someone come get it to hide the fact that the barn was locked?

  Mia listened as Ryan smooth-talked his brother before saying goodbye.

  “He didn’t take it.” He tucked the phone in his pocket.

  “This is really odd,” Mia said, letting her gaze rove over the barn. “We should go check the other door to see if that chain is gone, too.”

  Ryan’s eyes narrowed. “No. It’s too dangerous. Even for me. That wall could fall over with a slight breeze, and I won’t risk getting trapped under the debris.”

  “But I have to know.”

  His eyes met hers. “Not today, you don’t.”

  “There has to be a way.” Disappointed, Mia looked away.

  “I’ll call the chief and see if he can get the crew together to safely bring the wall down. Then, and only then, will we check on the lock.”

  She didn’t like his answer, but she respected his professional opinion.

  “Mia.” He gently clasped her shoulders and angled her to face him. “I mean it. Keep away from the barn.”

  She’d listen to him. For now. But if he didn’t arrange to have the wall brought down tomorrow, she’d check it out. Regardless of his warning to take care, she had to see if the lock was still there. Her life could be in peril near an unstable wall, but she’d rather take the risk than sit around and wait for the creep behind the letters to strike again.

  ELEVEN

  The next morning, as Mia finalized her preparations to head to David’s office, she heard a car pull up and park in front of the lodge. She opened the blinds and spotted a hot-pink Cadillac. A large woman wearing a boisterous floral house-dress with lime green terrycloth slippers climbed from the driver’s side.

  Mia groaned. Where could she hide?

  Mrs. Miller, the town busybody who should be classified as one of the Eight Wonders of the World, flapped her hands in the air as she jabbered at the scrawny Mr. Miller wearing faded bib overalls exiting the passenger side of the car.

  Despite the woman’s reputation, her wild gestures and animated face piqued Mia’s interest. With all of Mrs. Miller’s contacts, she may have heard gossip about the incidents and could lead them to a clue.

  Mia left the lodge and met the pair at the end of the sidewalk where Mrs. Miller charged as if she’d just spotted a two-for-one sale on muumuus. “Here you are, Mia, you poor dear.”

  “Hello, Mrs. Mil—”

  She waved a plump hand. “Oh, no, no, no. You’re all grownup now. Call us Frank and Gladys.”

  “If that’s what you want.” Mia watched the pink foam curler perched at the crown of Gladys’s head bob up and down.

  Gladys stepped closer. “I won’t take up much of your time when you should be resting from that dreadful fire, but I have something that might help find the arsonist.”

  Just as Mia had hoped. “What is it, Mrs. Mil—Gladys?”

  Her eyes turned conspiratorial. “I was at Reid’s place last night checking on little Jessie. Russ showed up and while I played cards with the little sweetie, he and Reid went into the other room. They thought they were out of earshot, but I heard them talking about the man Jessie saw start the fire.” She paused with a beam of satisfaction lighting her face.

  Mia didn’t think Gladys was playing cards. Knowing her, she had her ear snugged up to the door to learn all she could.

  “I also heard the truck belonged to Orrin Jackson. Probably stolen by the man who started the fire. Now who would go stealing Orrin’s truck like that? Not anyone from around here, I tell you. Jessie confirmed that. She can’t identify that man as a local, but then at her age, she doesn’t know everyone in town.”

  “So what do you propose?” Mia asked.

  “I’m just getting to that. A couple years ago, the hubby and I,” she paused to give Frank a pointed look, “got tired of city slickers passing bad checks and bogus credit cards at the station. So we started scanning a copy of strangers’ licenses and credit cards when they made a purchase. So, if the man who stole the truck and sta
rted the fire bought gas with a credit card, I’d have a copy of his license.”

  Mia managed not to laugh at the outrageous idea. “This guy wouldn’t be too smart to bring a stolen truck into your station.”

  “Oh, I know that, but if he’s not from around here, he had to get to Logan Lake to steal the truck. Maybe whatever he was driving needed gas. Or he got hungry and needed a snack.” She dug in her bag and withdrew a red case. “Last night I went through all of the files for the last few months and pulled out the pictures of men matching Jessie’s description. They’re all right here on this DVD.” She slipped the case into Mia’s hand.

  “Sounds like a long shot, but maybe it’ll pay off.” Mia smiled her thanks. “I’ll look at it when I get a chance.”

  “That’s good. Be sure to tell me if I can help with anything else.” She paused and studied Mia. “I just can’t believe you’re back and you’ll be our neighbor for the next year. I know your father and David are so happy you’ve come home.” She winked. “Why at church last Sunday they were jabbering on about how good it will be to have the family reunited.”

  Mia wished what Gladys said was truth, but her father had often gone to church with his game face on, making believe their family was coping well.

  Gladys slipped her hand through the crook of Mia’s arm. “I dare say Ryan’s glad to have you back, too.”

  Mia did not want to go there with Gladys but Mia recalled that trying to ignore this woman always ended up spurring her on. “I suppose he’s grateful to have me fill in for his missing counselor.”

  Gladys swatted her hand at Mia. “That’s not what I mean. I don’t know if you heard about the terrible tragedy Ryan faced in Eugene.”

  Mia didn’t want to egg Gladys on, but this must be why Ryan had clammed up in the truck and Mia wanted to know more. “I hadn’t heard about that.”

  “It was terrible. Just terrible. He was engaged to a sweet little woman. Another counselor he worked with. One of her clients killed her. Stabbed her in the very office they worked in. Ryan, the poor man, found her alive, but there was nothing he could do.” Gladys tugged her closer. “Rumor has it he feels responsible. Like he should have been able to protect her.”

  Mia couldn’t speak. She knew his pain. For she’d experienced the same heartbreak when her mother had died.

  “I know how much you cared about him at one time,” Gladys said, her tone sincere. “He’s basically sworn off women, and I think you’re just the person to change that. If you got together w—”

  “Let it be, Gladys. You’ve meddled enough for the day.” Frank stepped between them and pried away Gladys’s hand. He held Gladys by the shoulder.

  “Let me go, Frank Miller.” Gladys ripped free and waddled to the car. She spun on Frank. “Well, what are you waiting for, Frank, an engraved invitation? Let’s go.”

  Mia’s mind filled with this unsettling news. She watched the odd couple climb into their car and drive off.

  Poor Ryan. From what he’d said yesterday, it had only been three years since his fiancée’s death. A death that left him feeling responsible.

  Guilt over such a thing was powerful. Life altering. Changing one’s approach on life. This explained his overreaction to the warnings. He was afraid the same thing was going to happen to her. Afraid the creep who sent the warning letters might carry out his threats.

  A chill seeped into her bones. If she didn’t figure out who was behind the warning, Ryan could turn out to be right.

  Residual unease from Gladys’s news and uncertainty over seeing David after such a long absence left Mia a basket case as she opened the door to his office. She greeted his secretary, Olivia, but didn’t like how fragile her voice sounded.

  The sweet young woman’s widening smile said she hadn’t noticed. “David’s been looking forward to seeing you ever since he heard you were coming home.” She settled back into her chair, her size dwarfed by the tall leather back. “You can go on back. He’s in Kurt’s office, the last one on the right.”

  If he was looking forward to seeing her, why was he with his partner? Was David as uneasy about their meeting again after a ten-year absence? “I’m not interrupting anything, am I?”

  Olivia waved a hand with fingernails painted in a plum color that matched her silk blouse. “Not at all. Kurt handles Pinetree’s accounts so David figured you’d want to meet him while you were here.”

  Hoping Olivia was right and David really was happy she’d come to visit, Mia set off down the hallway. The hope didn’t travel to her feet as they slowed when she reached the office with Kurt Loomis, CPA engraved on the door. She let her eyes sweep the room.

  A man Mia assumed was Kurt sat behind the desk covered in paperwork that looked as if it had settled after a tornado. A large ornate frame holding the picture-perfect family of two girls and a boy, accompanied by a smiling couple hung on the wall behind him.

  David, his back to her, sat beside the massive antique desk. The men engaged in an animated discussion about returns on investment, their tones speaking to the love of a job Mia couldn’t imagine choosing. Much like she couldn’t imagine actually talking to her brother after all these years. But that was why she was here.

  She knocked on the door and waited for an invitation to enter.

  Kurt came to his feet, a wide smile pulling up full lips. A white dress shirt snugged tight at his neck with a navy tie accenting his fair coloring. He had a kind face that welcomed her into the room.

  David rose and pivoted. He wore a power business suit with a striped tie. He held his shoulders back in a rigid stance as his appraising eyes took in her entrance.

  Painful memories captured her mind. Not of David, but her father. David was a photocopy of their father when he was younger. His expression, his eyes, his lips. The entire package said Dad.

  She took a step back and thought about bolting.

  His face mirrored her discomfort as he adjusted his tie in a nervous gesture. He approached and lifted his arms as if he might try to hug her.

  She wasn’t ready for that, so she thrust her hand out instead. “Good to see you, David.”

  His charcoal eyes darkened, but he didn’t lose a beat and shook her hand. She gave him a minimal shake, withdrew her hand and pushed the strap of her handbag higher on her shoulder to mask her sudden action.

  David’s eyes telegraphed his confusion but he recovered quickly. He gestured at Kurt. “This is my partner, Kurt Loomis. He handles Pinetree’s accounts, so I asked him to join us.”

  “Then I’m happy to meet you, Kurt,” Mia said with honest enthusiasm and held out her hand. “I don’t know the first thing about running a business. I have to count on Verna to do the bookkeeping and you to do whatever it is you do.”

  “Actually, Verna doesn’t really do the bookkeeping anymore.” Kurt clasped her fingers with a warm shake, his face earnest, and his gray eyes sincerely welcoming. “When we took over the accounts a few years back, we set up a system to be more GAAP friendly.”

  Mia’s mind went blank, and she looked at David for help.

  He chuckled. “Excuse Kurt’s lack of English. GAAP is an acronym for generally accepted accounting principals. In this case, we separated the duties of taking in the money from spending the money. So Verna takes it in, and Kurt pays the bills. Keeps everyone on the up and up.” David clasped his hands behind his back. “So what is it you wanted to see us about?”

  “Ah…no…I didn’t come to talk about the business. This is more of a personal call.”

  “Oh.” David’s surprise flashed across his face.

  Mia instantly regretted coming. Why did she think he wanted to have anything to do with her? Her brother had always sided with their father in the past. He was likely still under his influence.

  She’d give him an out. “If you don’t have time, I can go…”

  “No. No. That’s fine. Let’s go to my office.”

  “Nice to meet you, Mia,” Kurt said. “I’m preparing financial repor
ts for you and once they’re finished we can get together to review them.”

  Mia’s forehead crinkled in distaste.

  Kurt laughed. “I promise to help you understand them.”

  “Thanks, Kurt. It was nice meeting you, too,” Mia replied with a smile. She really liked David’s partner. Maybe once she and David broke the ice, he’d warm up the same way.

  He led her down the hall to an office similar to Kurt’s in size, but causal in design. He’d decorated in muted beiges with blue accents reflecting the personality she’d seen in the last few minutes. With a slight nod, he urged Mia to sit on a thick leather sofa.

  She complied while looking at the multitude of family pictures perched around the room. On the table next to her sat a candid shot of their father with two adorable girls grinning into his face as he returned the smile with such love flowing from his eyes that Mia almost ceased breathing.

  “That’s Dad and my girls after Easter services,” David said. “Maybe now that you’re in town you can come over and meet Peg and the girls.”

  Mia recovered from the shock of seeing the picture of their father enough to respond with a pleasant, “That would be nice.”

  David casually sat back, crossing his legs and acting as if she’d simply taken a little time away rather than ten years. Like a long vacation.

  Had he forgotten about their tumultuous past? Why she left? If so, he wouldn’t think their father had any part in these events.

  He shifted as if growing uncomfortable under her scrutiny. “So what did you want to talk about?”

  She reached into her purse and pulled out her copy of the threatening letter. “You said you’d heard about the fire, but there’s something else I need to tell you about. I was wondering if you could look at this. It’s a copy of a letter I received in the mail. The envelope had a Logan Lake postmark. Do you have any idea who might’ve sent it to me?”

  David opened the letter and sat forward. “Do you think this person set fire to the barn?”