Chapter 22 #2
He eyed her, as if she might be teasing, then took the letter. Sliding his finger under one edge of the flap, he tore it open and removed a single typed written sheet.
She studied his eyes as he read. He scanned the text once, twice, then a third time. “James?”
His gaze lingered, then lifted to meet hers. Without a word, he handed the paper over.
Dear Mr. Church,
Twenty-five years ago, your grandfather entrusted my father with his estate management needs.
My father passed away eight years ago, and while he closed out or transferred all of his client matters to other attorneys in his office, out of the great respect he held for your grandfather, he asked me to handle this one matter.
Per the terms of your grandfather’s will, I can only disclose the particulars of his estate in person.
We’ve been trying to reach you for six months, both by phone and through mail and email, but to no avail.
I hope that this letter, which is more personal in nature than the others previously sent, will spur you to reach out to me.
My father was Joseph Jefferson, and he had a small private practice in Trenton, New Jersey. He and your grandfather served in the army together and remained friends until your grandfather’s death. I remember their weekly poker nights growing up, along with Carl Washington and Isaac Higgsby.
Again, I hope this is enough to persuade you that this is a legitimate request, and I do hope to hear from you as soon as you receive this letter.
Best,
Henry Jefferson, Esq
Partner, Marrick, Garrison, she knew enough about the kind of neighborhood he described.
The kind of neighborhood where the options were frequently limited to joining a gang or dying.
The former didn’t preclude the latter, but the latter was almost a certainty if you didn’t choose the former.
To have had someone like his grandfather show him that a different life was possible was a rare and precious gift.
A dark chuckle rumbled from James’s chest. “I’ll never forget the glee my mother and siblings took in his death.
With age and experience, I recognize they were jealous of my relationship with him.
I had something good and true in my life that they didn’t.
At the time, though, they laughed at my pain, they tried to use it against me, tried to drag me down with them. ”
She had to smile. “I’m guessing it did the opposite?”
He grinned, the curve of his lips holding a hint of gratitude toward her for seeing what his family hadn’t. “It did the opposite,” he agreed. “He became this almost mythic figure in my life as I grew older. Someone who guided me, helped me discern right from wrong. All from beyond the grave.”
“And now he has something to give you. From beyond the grave,” she said, handing the letter over.
He took it, then slowly folded it. “I can’t imagine what it is. Like I said, he was a janitor after he left the army.”
“Only one way to find out,” she said.
He hesitated, then nodded. “It’s Sunday. I’ll call first thing tomorrow. In the meantime, let’s go see Ryan, then your sister, then stock up on food before the next storm comes.”
She doubted the fact it was Sunday was the real reason for putting the call off.
To be so suddenly reminded of someone who meant so much to him had to bring up all sorts of emotions.
That he was a man his grandfather would be proud of, she had no doubt.
But the reminder that the older James would never see what kind of man his beloved grandson had grown into carried a weight that her James needed to assess and adjust and get comfortable with before stepping even further into his memories.
“I could use a shower before we head out,” she said. His head whipped around, his eyes catching hers, dilating with desire.
“Is that an invitation?” he asked, his tone rumbling over her skin.
She smiled and rose. “Join me and find out.”