I swipe the call button and don’t wait for an answer. “Mom, if you told that wretch of a realtor that I wasn’t selling and he did this…”
“Sweetheart, I just heard the news.”
I don’t believe her. She sounds too sympathetic. “Admit that you called him.”
“Well of course I did. What did you think I would do when you made such a dramatic decision?”
“And all those jabs about the old electrical? And the unsafe house?”
She sighs like she’s already over this conversation. “I tried to warn you.”
“That it was unsafe! Not that you’d have it burned down!”
“I did no such thing. How dare you?—"
“How could you?” I ask over her. “You grew up there. Your own mother loved that home.Iloved that home.”
“But it’s just a house. People buy and sell them all the time. The memories are with the people you care about.”
She truly doesn’t understand. But Grandmama Florine did. She knew mom so well, she decided to leave everything to me.
And it still wasn’t enough.
“Darling, I’m sorry. Truly. But can’t you see this is for the best? Now you can?—"
Just as I tune her out, I spot Philip coming down the street in his fancy car. He parks in front of his office and gets out.
I thrust my phone at Dorian and stalk after him.
The man has the gall to look happy to see me. “Lisette! I just heard about your grandmother’s house. Tragic. It was a nice place. I know this isn’t the right time… but if you still want to sell?”
“Was the property worth that much that you’d resort to arson?” I yell.
“Wait, Lisette. You have the wrong idea. The investors were pressured to find a suitable location. If you’d given me time…”
“It wasmyhouse. My choice to do what I wanted with it.” We’re standing on the sidewalk outside his office, drawing a crowd. Good. If he’s responsible, I want everyone to know.
He frowns. “Richard and Marie-Claire said you’d be more reasonable.”
“My mother has no say in—” Suddenly it all clicks into place. The way she’s been calling me. Trying to tell me this was for my future. That she knew what was best. All phrases I’ve heard from my stepdad’s mouth over the last six years every time he lectured me on my ‘poor decisions’. “Richard’s an investor in this resort. One of the men who wanted the land.”
All the pieces fit, and the picture it reveals is betrayal. “And the fire? Was that his idea? Or yours?”
“There was a lot of money on the line. Jobs for our community.” Philip shifts uncomfortably. “Florine was out of her mind not to see that. She shouldn’t have changed the will. If she hadn’t, you’d never have been dragged?—”
I pull my arm back and punch him in his too-white teeth.
Philip sprawls on the sidewalk, swearing through his bloody lips. “Bitch. I think you knocked a tooth loose. You’re as crazy as your grandmother.”
Oh, he’s dead. I lunge for him.
Strong arms wrap around me, hauling me off the realtor.
“Come on, beautiful,” Dorian says in my ear. “No more fighting. You’re grounded.”
His teasing words break through the haze of my anger. “I am? But what about?—”
“The sheriff has the inspector’s report.” Dorian motions to the realtor. “And half the town heard him just now. There’s enough evidence to charge them.”
