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"Mom, what happened? What did they tell you about Spencer?"
She covered her face. "He was shot," she said, her voice wavering with emotion. "He's dead and has been for hours. He was at Chesapeake Beach for some reason, checking out one of his properties, I imagine. He left right after you and Hunter were here and he never came back. He must have been robbed
but I don't know any details. They're still investigating."
My mother seemed unusually clear-headed. The shock of Spencer's murder must have pierced through her usual brain fog from the morphine.
"I'm so sorry, mom," I said, squeezing her arm, moving closer. Although I hated Spencer, I knew that my mother loved him. She'd be devastated to learn he was dead. After relying on him for years, she'd be afraid of who would look after her.
"I know you and Graham hated him, but he was my life after your father died."
"I know," I said, not wanting to talk about just how much I hated Spencer or how much Graham did as well. She already knew. It had been a sensitive matter between the three of us since she married Spencer. In Graham's and my minds, he was never our father. We made sure Spencer knew as much.
"Did anyone call Graham?"
My mom nodded. "We tried, but he must have been out of his room. I left a message for him to call me as soon as he got my message."
I called Graham right away, wanting to make sure he heard the news from us, rather than finding out on television that Spencer was dead.
I didn't feel at all sad or bad that Spencer was dead. In fact, there was a part of me that rejoiced. Finally, I could get my mother away from his clutches and get her more help.
While I waited for him to answer, I turned to my mother.
"Have you called Aunt Diane?"
She shook her head. "No," she said. "I didn't think..."
"You should call her. You'll need somewhere to stay. You can't stay alone—"
"Can't you stay with me?" she asked. "You could sleep in your old room."
I shook my head. "No, mom. I'm staying somewhere else. You should go stay with Aunt Diane. Get away from here. There are reporters, and trucks with satellite dishes. They won't leave you alone for a few days. We could sneak you out the back and take you there."
"If you think so."
Graham's phone went to voice mail, so I left a message for him to call me as soon as he could.
Then, I dialed my Aunt Diane's number. She answered on the second ring.
"Hi, Auntie," I said, my voice a bit emotional. "Have you heard the news?"
"No," she said, sounding confused. "What news? I've been in the darkroom all morning. What is it? Is your mom okay? Is Graham worse?"
"No, they’re both okay. Spencer's dead. He was shot. That's all I know."
"Oh, thank God," she said and I was shocked to hear her say that. "I mean, I was worried that your mom overdosed or Graham had a complication. So, Spencer's dead? I have to tell you I'm not sad that the bastard is finally gone."
"My thoughts exactly," I said, glad to know that she felt the same way I did.
"God forgive me for saying that, but I hated that bastard right from the start. I tried to tell your mother to leave him but she was so unable to do anything to help herself."
"I know. Listen, speaking of which, can Mom come and stay with you for a few days until we can find some care for her? I can't stay here and she needs help."
"Why can't you stay with her, hun?"
I hesitated. How could I explain things? There's a Russian mobster who thinks I'm juicy bait to ensnare my gangster lover…
I couldn't tell her the whole truth.
