Page 68 of One of Six

"He helped me a lot, and we talked. He is different. I just hope it lasts."

Her eyes narrow on Violet. "Your mother would be shocked to hear you talk to an adult the way you talked to David."

"Urgh!" Violet shoots to her feet. "I am an adult! And I tease men because they know what to do with a woman who only knows what goes where. Boys fumble. Men are hot and sexy." To me, "I'm going home. Message me later."

Numb to her outburst and abrupt exit, I hug my friend and watch her run up the back stairs to grab her bag.

"I'm exhausted," I comment, twisting a piece of bacon between my fingers before tearing off a chunk with my teeth. "Where is he?"

“He's in the bedroom. I found an empty bottle of whiskey in the lounge."

"He's not going to like being late for work." I make no effort to move. "I'm going out after breakfast."

She frowns. "You're out a lot these days."

"I don't like being here anymore." This is only half the truth. The other half has to do with Essex Redd.

"Hmm, I hope you're not spending more time with one of the Redd boys?"

"They're men, not boys. I'm at a loose end here, Evelyn. Judge and Richard still want me to be with Jason. That is not going to happen. I want to live my life as I choose. Because of Mama's wishes, I have that opportunity. I'm not going to blow it. Mom would be disappointed if I did."

Sighing, Evelyn says, "Do you think they'll let you go? Your daddy is possessive, Beatrice."

I tilt my head and watch Evelyn closely. She is uncomfortable with this conversation. "I thought you wanted me away from Richard."

"I don't know what I want anymore."

The dressI chose to wear today with Essex in mind is pale blue and covered with daisies. It hits mid-thigh with tiny straps holding it to my body. I walk downstairs, my hi-tops squeaking on the wooden stairs. The sun shines through the windows, casting a warm glow on the hardwood floors. I can't help but feel a sense of excitement for the day ahead as I make my way to the front door. I don't get far.

"Beatrice," Richard says, "please step into my office."

Looking at the man who killed my mother, I force my mouth to shut before I tell him everything I've wanted to say for so long. This man has no idea. I look at him and there is no sign of his night of drinking. Against my better judgment, I enter the office and barely manage to hold my breath when I see Richard's lawyer, Thomas Jefferson. Ironic, really, that Mom's lawyer is Alfred Hitchcock. She probably chose him because she loved the movie The Birds. Well, Thomas Jefferson was chosen because he loves money, of which Richard has plenty. I never liked the man.

"Why do you need me in a meeting with your lawyer?" I ask cautiously, refusing the seat Richard is trying to force me into. "I'm not staying, so I'll stand."

"This will take five minutes, Beatrice, then you can get on with your day. I have some papers for you to sign." Jefferson taps on the papers on Richard's desk.

"What are they?"

"You don't have to worry about that. Just sign on the dotted line and we're done here." He grins.

I narrow my eyes. "You must think I'm an idiot to blindly sign papers you've drawn up." I look at Richard. "What are they?"

He clenches and unclenches his jaw. "Nothing to worry about. They're legal documents that have to do with transferring some shares of the business from your mother to you."

I hesitate, knowing there's something wrong with this. "I'm sure a few hours won't make any difference. If you leave the papers with me, I'll read them and maybe sign them if I agree." I hold out my hands for the bundle of papers and Jefferson, who obviously wasn't expecting this, stares at Richard for direction.

"Just sign the damn things, Beatrice!" He shouts, pounding his fist on the table. "You won't understand any of this."

"AJ Hitchcock is my lawyer. When he gets back from vacation, we can talk about this. He'll go over it and I'll listen to his advice." Before Richard can get a word out, I turn to Jefferson and say, "As a lawyer, you should have advised me to have my own lawyer go over them.”

Richard suddenly grabs my arm and whispers, "You are becoming a problem.” His face turns red with anger as he glares at me, clearly not expecting my resistance.

I jerk my arm free and rub the tender skin. "I'm taking the documents."

Both Richard and Jefferson watch me closely. Even when Richard breaks and shoves the papers into my hands, Jefferson doesn't take his eyes off me. Richard says, "You better sign them, Beatrice! You will not like the consequences.”

I roll up the papers and shove them into my backpack on my way out. My stomach feels unsettled, and worry wraps itself around my heart. I know I made the right decision, but the fear of what might come next remains. As I walk away, I can't shake the feeling that something bad is brewing in Mount Sterling.

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