Page 42 of New Day at the Beach House

“Because it didn’t pertain to you.” He sighed. “I’m sorry, Claire, but I can’t say anything further.”

“Thanks, you’ve been absolutely useless.” She hung up, immediately missing the days when phones had actual receivers that could be slammed down to make a point.

She strode back out to the kitchen. Kat was sitting at the breakfast bar, drinking her coffee, and scrolling through her phone. “I have to go downstairs for a minute. Don’t wait on me to eat if you are.”

“I can wait. I’d rather have breakfast together.” Kat looked up. “Why do you look angrier than you did before you made the phone call?”

“Because I am. I’ll explain when I get back.”

“Okay,” Kat said. There was concern in her eyes.

Claire stomped down the steps. “Roxie?”

Roxie met her as she reached the bottom. “Not so loud, my mother’s still asleep.”

“Sorry,” Claire said. “I called him.”

Roxie tipped her head toward the living room. “Come in and tell me.”

Claire followed her back. Trina was at the breakfast bar, a plate of thin pancakes in front of her. There was plate next to her, too, the chair still pulled away from the counter.

“I’ve interrupted your breakfast,” Claire said. “I can come back.”

“No way,” Roxie said. “You want a pancake? I made extra.”

“No, thank you. That’s kind of you. Kat’s waiting on me upstairs.” Claire sighed. “All Kinnerman would tell me is that there were other beneficiaries and that Bryan’s will had specified that they shouldn’t be disclosed.”

“Other beneficiaries?” Roxie frowned. “Do you think he left money to Charles? To cover all the costs of the legal stuff?”

“He could have.” Claire thought about that. “But there’s no way what Charles has done would have cost six hundred thousand dollars. And Charles said beneficiaries. Plural. That means Bryan left money to several people.”

Trina nodded. “At least two more.”

Roxie looked as unhappy as Claire felt. “Do you think we should contact the insurance company directly?”

Claire shook her head. “We could try, I guess. But everything’s going through Kinnerman. I don’t think they’ll tell us anything.”

“I’ll call anyway. See what I can find out. Can’t hurt.”

“I suppose not.” Claire’s anger turned inward and became the kind of cutting ache that made her feel like she might cry. “He had to know we’d need that money. How could he leave it to anyone else?”

Roxie nodded, sympathy filling her gaze. “I don’t get it, either. I loved the man, still do, but I can honestly say I hate him a little bit right now. At least we have our houses to sell.”

Claire sniffed and nodded. “You know, the good thing about us both staying here is splitting the expenses.”

“That’s definitely a silver lining,” Roxie said. “I’m sorry about all this.”

Claire took a deep breath. “I am, too. We should be on the same side. Not against each other. We’re living in the same house. And probably will be for some time.”

“Probably.”

Claire put her hand out. “Can we call a truce? Do our best to be nice to each other?”

Roxie smiled, hesitated, then pulled Claire into a hug. “You bet.”

Claire hugged her back and, for a moment, they embraced, each seeming to understand exactly what the other was feeling.

Then Roxie let her go. “You need anything, you let me know. I should be around most of the day.”

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