RYAN
Work had been exhausting and I was looking forward to having the day off. When Philip told me about the meeting with Martha’s lawyer, I was shocked, but more excited about the prospect of seeing Abby.
The mood was somber in the lawyer’s office until Abby came bouncing in and rushed to me. “Ryan!”
“Hey, princess.” I smiled and hugged her tight. The woman that came in with her looked haggard but smiled at the sight of me and Abby together.
“Now that everyone’s here, we can get started,” the short bald lawyer said softly. “Each of you have been mentioned in Martha’s will. She split everything equally between you. Miss Abby, your part has been put into a trust fund that you can access when you turn eighteen. I know you don’t know what all that means, but basically, Martha loved you and wanted to make sure you were taken care of.” Abby looked up at the two of us. Once we nodded that it was okay, she thanked the attorney.
“Wait,” Philip said. “I’m just piecing this together. Are you telling us Martha’s entire estate has been left to just the three of us as the sole beneficiaries?”
“Yes. Her estate as a whole comes to about one point five million dollars.” I sat back in my chair. Philip’s eyes went wide with shock. Abby sat playing with the pink and purple dog I gave her.
“You’re telling us that she left us each five hundred grand?” I couldn’t believe it.
“Yes, around that.”
“Holy shit.” I swore, and Abby giggled. Philip elbowed me in the ribs. “Sorry.”
“I just need you to sign some documents and fill out various forms, so we can finish up the probating the estate. Once I get the funds and paperwork signed off by the court, my office will contact you. He handed us the paperwork. I set Abby on her feet so I could sign everything.
“The property that the house was on as well as her life insurance policy is inclusive of the estate. As I stated, once everything is processed, it will be split between the three of you in equal shares.”
“Thank you,” I said and handed him back the paperwork. “I’m a little shocked.”
“A little?” Philip laughed. “I’m more than a little shocked.”
“I’m sure you are, but I knew Martha for years. She was an amazing woman. When she came in to adjust the will, she told me all about you, and knew you would do the most good with it.” His eyes shined and I wondered just how well he knew Martha. We all shook his hand and left the office in stunned silence. Abby was between us, clutching our hands like she didn’t want to let go.
“Did Daniel tell you to keep an eye out for a strange man?” I asked Abby’s new foster mother, who’d been waiting patiently outside for us.
“Yes, my sixteen-year-old son walks Abby to and from school every day.” She smiled proudly.
“With all due respect, ma’am, a sixteen-year-old is not going to scare this guy off.” Philip added.
“He’s the captain of the wrestling team,” she replied, indignant we disparaged her son. “I have six kids, and each one has their own issues. I can’t be everywhere at once.”
“Fair enough,” I said clapping Philip on the shoulder. “If you see anything strange, please let us know. The police are still looking for him.” After taking both of our cell numbers, she agreed to keep in contact.
“Abby come on we have to get to therapy.” Abby hugged me tight, then walked over and hugged Philip before she let the woman lead her to her minivan. We watched her buckle herself in and wave to us through the window.
“She’ll be fine. Her new foster mom seems like she’s one of the decent ones.” I tried to reassure Philip, who was standing staring at the woman’s vehicle. He really did miss her, just as much as I did, but neither one of us would feel better until that asshole who hurt Abby was behind bars.
Hours later, Philip and I were laying on the bed in my shitty little apartment when his phone rang. “It’s Daniel.”
I watched his face as he spoke to him on the phone. It morphed into shock and then anger the longer the conversation went on. When he finally hung up, his face was red. “What is it?”
“They got Martha’s coroner’s report. She didn’t die from the fire. There was no smoke in her lungs.”
I sat up quickly and looked at him dreading what he was about to say next. “How did she die?”
“Blunt force trauma to the head. Which means she was dead before he ever even set the fire.” He leaned back against the head board. “They’re now looking for him. Murder and arson.”
“Well shit, should we be watching Abby at night?” I thought about Courtney and how Brice had his brother sitting outside of her apartment every night.
“They have a car stationed outside of her foster home now and will keep one there until he’s been caught. They’re not taking any chances this time.”
I was somewhat relieved that she had police protection. It was actually better than I could have hoped for. Abby’s safety was my number one concern. My childhood wasn’t fun, and I’d had to rely on myself more than any kid should, but Abby’s was beyond what any human should live through. She didn’t deserve to hurt any more. “Good, that’s good.”