The Inheritance

by Jacqueline Seewald

  Maryann shivered, although the day was a warm one. She placed the gown and quilts back in their chest.

  Jen sneezed. The sound seemed loud. “I’ll have to get Linda and her crew up here to clean. There’s too much dust for us to continue our exploration. Let’s have lunch. I could do with something cold to drink.”

  Downstairs the doorbell rang and then someone banged at the front door. She and Jen exchanged surprised looks.

  “Expecting anyone?”

  Jen shook her head. “Guess we better find out who’s come to call.”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “Hello, Mother, is this a friendly visit?”

  Sara’s face had flushed an unbecoming shade of red. Jen assumed from her mother’s manner that Sara’s appearance reflected her bad mood as much as the heat of the day.

  Frank followed her mother into the foyer. She hadn’t invited either of them into the house, but they appeared to think it their right to enter. Maryann came up behind Jen.

  “Jennifer, why did you send that police person to see me?”

  “I didn’t.”

  “No? Well, that’s not the impression I got. He said something about you being threatened. You know I did no such thing. Why would I? Anyway I’m willing to leave town if that’s what you really want but I expect you’re going to write me a check. Aren’t you?”

  “I don’t have much money to spare right now. Not until the estate becomes mine. That won’t be for two years, Mother. I think you already know that.”

  “Frank and I are staying in the area. We’ve decided to hire a lawyer of our own. My mother wasn’t herself when she changed her will in favor of you. For all I know, you used undue influence on an old woman suffering from dementia. Anyway, I’m challenging the will. I have just as much right to the money as you do, in fact more. I should warn you. It could get ugly. I’ll see you in court.” Her mother signaled her boyfriend to follow.

  Maryann shut the door. “No offense, Jen, but that woman’s nothing like you. Are you sure you weren’t adopted?”

  She offered a small smile. “I’m afraid not.”

  “Greedy is how I’d describe her.” Maryann scrunched her nose as if she’d smelled some foul odor.

  “My grandmother once said she felt Grandfather spoiled my mother as a child. He’d give her everything she wanted. Grandmother had to be the bad guy, the disciplinarian. They’d had another child, a boy, who died in early childhood. I don’t know all the facts. Anyway when my mother was born, Grandfather felt jubilant. And then it turned out that Grandmother couldn’t have any more children. So Grandfather treated Mother like a princess.”

  “But your grandmother didn’t?”

  Jen gazed off, transported to another time. “No, Grandmother’s ethics were ingrained. She had high moral standards. Grandfather acted as something of a buffer between the two of them. When Mom’s marriage to my father fell apart, she blamed my grandparents for encouraging the marriage in the first place.”

  “She didn’t love your father?”

  “Maryann, I don’t think my mother is capable of loving anyone… maybe not even herself. She and I never really connected on any meaningful level. There were maids and nannies. We spent very little time together when I was growing up.”

  “I didn’t realize that.” Maryann’s expression conveyed sympathy.

  “Hey, I’m an adult now. I just hope not to make those kinds of mistakes with Aaron. That’s why I didn’t go back to work after he was born. I wanted to spend as much time as possible with my child when he was little.”

  “My mother went back to teaching as soon as she could. Not that I blame her. It’s tough staying home taking care of little kids.”

  “True, but I think it’s the most important job there is even if it doesn’t involve a pay check.” Jen realized her opinion on the matter probably seemed old-fashioned. “Of course, with Aaron in school, I really do want to return to work—although it doesn’t appear there are many positions open to biochemists around here.”

  “No, it doesn’t,” Maryann agreed. “You and I are going to have to get creative.”

  The doorbell rang again. They exchanged looks.

  “You think she’s back?” Maryann’s green eyes opened wider.

  “I hope not.” With some trepidation, Jen opened the front door for the second time today.

  Rob Coleman stood there. Jen let out the breath she been holding.

  “We finished the job we were doing earlier than I expected today. Thought I’d drop by and check on those cracks I’ve been meaning to fix in your cellar.”

  “Have you had lunch yet?” Jen asked.

  “No, I’ll stop off at the diner later.”

  “Why don’t you join us? Maryann and I were just about to throw together some sandwiches.”

  “Sounds good, but I don’t want to intrude.”

  “You won’t be.”

  They walked out to the kitchen at a leisurely pace. Jen smiled to herself noting the way Rob looked at Maryann. There could be no mistaking what that look meant.

  They fixed grilled cheese and tomato sandwiches garnished with green olives, then chatted over iced tea. Rob ate three sandwiches to their one.

  “Hope I’m not being a hog.” He wiped his mouth appreciatively with a paper napkin.

  “You work hard. You need to eat more.” Maryann stood up and took the plates, placing them in the sink.

  “You make good sandwiches.” Rob patted his hard stomach. “So where’s the little guy today?”

  “Swimming with the Higgins family. I’ll reciprocate and host their son tomorrow.” Jen topped off everyone’s beverages. She had a thought and turned back to Rob. “Maybe I can fix a picnic lunch. Rob, you must know some appropriate places to take the children.”

  “Sure do.” Rob proceeded to provide helpful suggestions.

  Jen thought to herself that he also provided good company. She hoped Maryann felt the same.

  Rob went down to cellar after lunch and looked around. There were some cracks in the foundation that still needed work. He’d see to that. No problem. But as he examined the area, Rob saw something that disturbed him. One of the window panes appeared to be broken. That hadn’t been the case before. It hadn’t been caused by an animal. He felt certain of that.

  Someone had tried to pry open the window. It could have been a vandal but he doubted it. The window was too small to allow anyone to enter, even a child. Viewing it with a close eye, he saw some dried blood. Not a practiced burglar he thought but someone prowling around outside the house. Could it be the same person that had thrown the rock with the threatening message through the upstairs window? He’d talk to his brother about it. The women would have to be informed as well. He didn’t like the idea of making them feel more nervous or insecure. But they did need to be aware.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Grant had a busy day at police headquarters. He’d even eaten lunch at his desk. Bloomingvale tended to be a quiet, peaceful town, but there had been a robbery at the gas station. With a small police force, they were kept on their toes. His brother’s phone call proved disturbing.

  “What bothered me about that broken window was why anyone would bother with it.” Rob had a point.

  Grant drummed his fingers on the top of his wooden desk. “Clearly, this person wasn’t trying to get into the house through that small window. I can only think of one reason.”

  “Which is?”

  “To place something in the cellar meant to further persuade and convince Jennifer Stoddard to leave the house.”

  “Like a grenade?”

  “Rob, it doesn’t have to be anything that destructive. Could be this person intended to set off a smoke bomb or something similar as another warning, an attempt to further intimidate Mrs. Stoddard.”

  “Who do you think is responsible?”

  “Right now, I’ve got no idea who’s behind this. Generally, I’d say the motive for harassing Jennifer Stoddard and getting her to mo
ve out of the house would be financial gain. But I don’t see who’s going to benefit. I’ll check out those charities though. I’ve already spoken to Sara Morrow. Let me see if I can get more info on that boyfriend of hers as well. You going over to Mom’s for dinner tonight?”

  “I’ll be there,” Rob said.

  “Good. We can discuss this more then.”

  Grant hung up the phone and continued to drum his fingers on his desk. Something was going on that he didn’t understand. He needed to collect more information. He went out front to the main office and found Burt Russell at work on a report.

  “Could you come into my office for a few minutes?”

  “Sure, Chief.” Burt, a raw-boned farm boy, had joined the force two years ago.

  “I want you to shadow some people for me.” He gave Burt the particulars. “At this point, I want to know who this Frank character is. So follow at a distance. Take an unmarked car not a cruiser. Watch for them to drive over the speed limit, run a red light, anything at all you can pull them over for. I want you to get Frank’s information and run him through the system. And I need that information as soon as possible.”

  “Got it, Chief. I’ll nail him for you.”

  His next move was to phone James Donne’s office and get a copy of the charities Mrs. Pritchard named in her will. He needed to find out if they were legit.

  He got busy again himself with leads on the gas station robbery. Apparently, it was a familiar M.O. in the area. Three such robberies had occurred in a hundred-mile radius. He made a few calls to other law enforcement officers and got more details.

  It was five p.m. before he managed to get over to the law office. After a cursory examination of the list, Grant decided to discuss the information with Jennifer Stoddard and get her take on it. He didn’t expect that she could be particularly helpful, but like his mother’s chicken soup when he had a cold, it wouldn’t hurt either.

  The doorbell rang at five-thirty p.m., and Jen went to answer it. She was taken back by seeing Grant Coleman standing there. She stared at him for a moment before inviting him into the house. Whenever she saw him, she noticed that her heart beat faster.

  She led him into the living room. “Can I offer you something to drink?”

  “No thanks. I want to talk to you about something.”

  “Have a seat.”

  He surprised her by sitting down on the comfortable sofa and indicating the spot beside him. Reluctantly, she sat but kept her posture stiffly erect. Strange how the room began to shrink, to practically close in on her.

  “I’m looking into what’s been happening to you. I brought by that list of charities Donne mentioned. Will you take a look with me and see if you know anything about them?” He showed her a photocopied list which she viewed with concentration.

  “Some of these charities are well-known and of course I’ve heard of them. Some I don’t know anything about. The Forrest Foundation? Mr. Forrest came to the house when I first arrived. He let me know that my grandmother was very generous to his charity. He practically demanded that I continue to make donations of a similar kind. When I told him that I was unable at present to make that kind of financial commitment, he became huffy.”

  His gray eyes searched her face. “He tried to strong arm you? You think he might be behind your recent problems?”

  Jen shook her head. “I’d hate to believe that. I mean his charity did sound worthy. And I told him when the estate was settled I’d certainly make a contribution.”

  “Did that seem to placate him?”

  She nibbled her lower lip. “Not really.”

  “Okay, then he’s a person of interest, someone I need to have a conversation with. Anyone else?”

  She studied the list. “I didn’t know Dr. Kramer ran a free clinic.”

  “He does. There are lots of poor people who don’t have proper health insurance coverage. Dr. Gus and Ella provide free medical one day a week. Looks like your grandmother made generous donations to keep the clinic going. They are named as beneficiaries if you don’t fulfill the terms of the will.”

  “Dr. Kramer was my grandmother’s doctor. He told me she died in her sleep, probably of a heart attack.”

  Grant raised his eyebrows. “Did he do an autopsy?”

  “Not as far as I know. I suppose there was no reason for it. My grandmother was old and ill. Still, he did say that she had been improving.”

  “Anyone else you recognize on this list?”

  Another name surprised her. “Eric Higgins would also benefit it seems. My grandmother provided for his animal shelter. But the Higgins are such kind, friendly people. My son Aaron loves playing with their son, Bobby.” Jen shook her head. “No, neither he nor Dr. Kramer would be harassing me. It’s just not possible.”

  “I hope you’re right,” Grant said, “but people get funny when there’s a lot of money involved. Even when there’s not so much.”

  “I feel badly about taking up your time. Maybe these are just pranks of some sort. I’m certain you have more important matters that need your attention.”

  “I want to make sure everything goes all right for you.” His gaze probed and searched.

  Jen felt sudden unease. What might he be thinking? What suspicions lurked in his cynical mind? “What you really mean is you don’t trust me. You don’t believe someone is behind this, someone who wishes me ill.” She was finding it hard to hold on to her temper.

  “Don’t tell me what I mean.” His expression became severe as he gritted his teeth. They were practically nose to nose, and his nostrils were flaring like a bull seeing a red cape.

  Good, let him get angry too; she didn’t really care.

  “I’m not the kind of person who sneaks around. I’m looking out for everybody’s welfare. That’s an important part of my job. Can’t you understand that? Don’t misinterpret my questions. I do believe what you’ve told me. Didn’t I say that before?”

  His hand brushed her arm as if to bring her to face him directly. Where he touched, she felt as if licked by a flame. An alarm sounded in her brain.

  “Sorry,” he said, seeing her shrink from his touch.

  She didn’t speak; she couldn’t.

  “I’m not trying to intimidate or harass you. I want to help you in any way I can. Will you please believe that? I know we haven’t gotten off to a good start. Maybe that’s partly my fault. But I do think I could help you if you’ll let me.”

  She recognized that he was being conciliatory and sincere. Probably she should meet him half-way. Sometimes, she conceded, she could be over sensitive. “I promise if I need help, I’ll ask for it.”

  “Will you?”

  She felt her cheeks heat with color. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  He turned and gave her a sharp look, his face all hard angles and planes.

  “Rob phoned me earlier.”

  She let out the breath she’d been holding. “He shouldn’t have bothered you. One of your patrol officers could have come by.”

  “If it was just a matter of someone trying to pry open a cellar window. But it seems to be part of a pattern. That’s why I’m involving myself in the situation. I’d like to see that window if you don’t mind.”

  They went downstairs together and he examined the window in question. He made some notes and used a kit to dust for prints, all of which made Jen feel more uneasy than ever.

  “Here’s what I’d like to do. I think we should set up surveillance cameras around the perimeter of your house as soon as possible.”

  “Is that really necessary?” She put her hand on his and then quickly removed it as if she’d been zapped. It made her uncomfortable to touch him and yet at the same time, she’d liked it too much. “I’ll have to think about it.”

  He squared his jaw. Funny, she hadn’t noticed that small sexy cleft in his chin before.

  “I don’t see that there’s anything to think about. I’ll take care of it. We’ll place the equipment discreetly so no one knows it�
�s there.”

  She let out a deep sigh. “All right. Whatever you think best.”

  They walked back toward the stairs side by side. She felt hot and dizzy yet chilled at the same time. He took her arm as if to assist her but that only made her feel all the more unsteady. If she didn’t act more in control, he was sure to be convinced she was a wimp.

  He looked at her and his eyes seemed to settle on the curve of her lips. For a moment, she had the strangest feeling that he wanted to kiss her. Stranger still was the awareness that she really wanted him to do it. She felt an overwhelming desire to be held and caressed by him.

  He pulled her into his arms. His lips found hers. Their mouth joined in a deep kiss, hungry with need. Her pulse began to pound. It took every ounce of her willpower and self-control to pull away from that powerful magnetic attraction. What was she thinking? This was strictly a professional relationship. He didn’t even really like her. And she had no business thinking of him as anything other than the chief of police. She wasn’t a high school senior with a teenage crush anymore but an adult, grown woman. She better start acting like one.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  “Just joking.”

  Grant lumbered into the kitchen, further filling the small room. He kissed their mother on the cheek and affectionately messed the top of his sisters’ heads both of whom let out squeals of complaints.

  “You nearly missed dinner.” Rob moved over making room for his brother. “I intended to eat your portion.”

  “No way,” Grant said.

  “So did you take a look at that broken cellar window at the Pritchard house?”

  “I did.” Grant frowned.

  “And what’s the verdict?”

  “I’m going to put in camera surveillance.”

  Mom filled a plate for Grant. “Is someone causing trouble for that nice woman?”