Page 1 of Defiled Innocence

Amelia

Nothing good happens on a Tuesday.

My mother died on a Tuesday.

Years later, my father died on a Tuesday.

And four weeks ago, my brother died on a Tuesday.

“Lia?” A kind voice interrupts the silence of my office. It’s only lasted five minutes, the quiet, and now it’s gone.

“Good morning, Sarah.” I get up from my desk. I need more coffee. The two cups I’ve had so far haven’t put a dent in my exhaustion.

It’s only ten o’clock and I’ve already had to deal with a bed shortage at the halfway house, had a meeting with the counseling staff, and checked two of our clients into the full-time rehab facility we work closely with.

“I know you’re busy, but there’s an attorney out here who is demanding to see you.” She frowns. “He says he’s already left you several messages.”

I grimace.

Luther VanCroft. My brother’s estate attorney.

“Can you get him to make an appointment? I can meet with him later.” I slide my mug beneath the Keurig after popping in a fresh pod.

“I suggested that, but he said you’ve already missed two appointments.” She tilts her head a little to the left. “I don’t think he’s going away this time, Lia.”

I sigh. Putting off the reading of my brother’s will wasn’t intentional.

At first.

After the funeral, everything erupted around me. At first, I was glad for the distraction.

I’d just lost my brother, leaving me the only person left of our little family. Having to navigate the funeral, the separate memorial services for him, and multiple social gatherings in his name left me drained.

I didn’t have time to process that he was really gone. My daily calendar is always full of meetings, emergencies, and events. The fact that every event in the past few weeks was in his honor didn’t really hit me. I’ve been on autopilot.

Even with our father having been gone for eight years, there were still plenty of his political associates that wanted to extend their condolences. There were two small memorial lunches for Lucas last week given by groups that helped keep my father firmly seated in his Alderman chair.

They’d held out hope that Lucas would follow in our father’s footsteps. Right up until the accident, they’d sought him out to seek political appointment.

“Lia. He’s not going to leave,” Sarah says when I remain quiet, trying to figure out a way to put this part off for a little bit longer.

Once he reads the will, there’s no more denying that Lucas is gone and never coming back.

Tears I’ve managed to hold at bay threaten, but I clear my throat and blink until they retreat.

“Fine. I’ll see him.” I dump the third spoonful of sugar into my coffee and stir in the creamer.

Luther has been my family’s attorney, or least one of their team, forever. He’s in his early seventies and probably should have retired years ago. The last time I had to deal with him directly was when my father died, eight years ago.

It was a short meeting. Dad left everything to Lucas, except a small bit he put aside in a trust fund for me when I turn twenty-five. Lucas had been named my guardian, as I’d been only sixteen at the time.

“Amelia.” Luther greets me as he walks in carrying his outdated, but still somewhat fashionable briefcase. “I’m glad you’re able to see me.”

I gesture to the chair in front of my desk as I sink into mine.

“I don’t have a lot of time; can we do this quick?” The sooner I can bury my head in the sand regarding all of this, the better my day will be.

He eyes me over the rim of his thick glasses as he gently places his briefcase on top of a pile of papers on my desk. “It shouldn’t take long.”

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