Page 107 of Harvest Moon (Riverbend 3)

Hopefully Darius’s cross-examination would clear that up.

“Mrs.Gordon,” Darius said. “First of all, let me say I’m sorry for the loss of your daughter.”

“Thank you.”

“I was wondering if you could tell me, when was the last time you saw your daughter?”

A thoughtful expression came over her face. “Well... let’s see. I’m not quite sure. As I mentioned, Glenn and I live in Chicago now. There was quite a bit of ground between Mallory and me.”

“Would you say it had been weeks? Months? Years?”

“Well, it probably would’ve been years. She’s been so busy with her young family, and I’ve been quite occupied with my charity work.”

“Did you talk with her on the phone then? FaceTime with her regularly?”

She tucked her hair behind her ear. “My daughter and I had some differences of opinion, Mr.Walker.” She turned to address the clerk. “I loved her dearly, but she was not an easy woman, nor a forgiving one. I admit I made my own mistakes with Mallory. I indulged her. And I’m afraid I’ll have a whole lifetime to regret it.”

Laurel clenched her teeth. Mallory was the least spoiled person she’d ever known.

“So would you say you and your daughter were estranged at the time of her death?”

“I’d say that was a fair assessment. But not because I wanted to be.”

“And when did you last see your granddaughter, Emma?”

She pursed her red lips. “Unfortunately, Emma and I have yet to meet. That was also my daughter’s choice. She was angry with me, and sadly, withholding my granddaughter from me was her way of retaliating.”

“Your daughter passed away”—Darius consulted his notes—“four weeks ago, is that correct?”

Darcy dabbed at the corner of her eye with the tissue. “Yes, sir, that’s right.”

“Did you get to see Emma when you came in for the funeral then?”

Darcy blinked. “Well... no.”

“And why is that?”

“Why, I—I wasn’t feeling well at all. I was overwrought with grief, as you can imagine. Given the circumstances, it simply would’ve been too painful.”

“You suggested that your daughter was the only thing standing between you and Emma, is that correct?”

“Yes, absolutely.”

“And yet at her funeral, your daughter gone, you would’ve been able to see Emma. Is that right?”

“Well, I... I just assumed they wouldn’t take her there.” She cut a glance at Laurel and Gavin. “Wouldn’t expose her to such a traumatic event.”

“And in the four weeks since your daughter’s passing, how many times have you reached out to Emma?”

“I was busy filing a petition for guardianship, Mr.Walker.”

“So none?”

She pursed her lips. “No.”

Darius smiled. “Thank you, Mrs.Gordon. That’s all the questions I have.”

Laurel tried to contain her excitement. Darius had revealed some critical information. She could only pray that the woman’s lack of regard for Emma was obvious.

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