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“Maybe he should keep in mind how truly angry he’s makingme. And how by pulling these underhanded schemes, it’s only going to get worse forhim. He’s bullied half the people in this town to get what he wants, but nobody will stand up to him. He’s not used to that.”
“He wants a big reaction. He thrives on getting under people’s skin. I suggest you do what you’re going to, but don’t speak a word to anyone else. He’s waiting for a phone call from you right now. He’s sitting there anticipating one. It will drive him nuts if you don’t give him a response for a day or two. Then, meet him with your counter.”
“You’re right. There’s nothing I have to do about this immediately. So, let’s call Lisa. We can focus on that for now.”
So, I put the call on speaker and dialed Lisa’s number. “Hello?”
“Hi, Lisa, this is Tanner and Carly. We’ve got you on speaker.”
“Hello there. Is there anything new happening?” Lisa sounded upbeat.
“We’ve done some research here in town and gotten what might be a lead on Justine’s mom, Marie. It seems she remarried after her husband passed away and they moved about an hour south just outside of Alexandria to Leesfield around the time of your birth.”
“Well, that’s something, isn’t it?” Lisa spoke up.
Tanner continued. “Her married name was Trichel, but then he died a couple years ago leaving Marie a widow. I’ll send you a copy of the article in the local newspaper. It is ambiguous and doesn’t contain much in the way of details for finding Marie, your grandmother.”
“So, there’s no record of her dying?” Lisa asked.
Carly had a few thoughts on that. “I’ve been combing through local church records and parish courthouse documents, and so far, I can’t find a death notice filed anywhere. I looked her up in the state database as well. And she isn’t listed as having a current address that I can find.”
“What do y’all suggest we do next?” Lisa’s voice had a hint of excitement Tanner hadn’t heard before.
“I think a day trip to Leesfield is the likely next step.” Tanner spoke into the phone then. “You are welcome to accompany us.”
“So, we go there and start asking around about her?”
“We start at her last known address, which was sold by the bank when her husband died, according to the newspaper, but there might still be a neighbor or two who will remember her.”
“Yes, I’d love to come and try to find out what became of her.”
“How does tomorrow around noon sound?” Tanner suggested. He lifted a brow in question to Carly.
She nodded with a smile. He could tell she was eager to get out and help find Marie Trichel.
“That sounds fantastic. I’ll meet you both at the office.”
“We’ll see you then.”
Tanner disconnected the call and suddenly felt relieved that they were refocused on helping their client instead of worrying about the summons from Carson.
*
Carly
“I’ll make alist of all the places we can check to see if Marie might still be around town. Or, if anybody might know where she went.” I was still smarting over Carson’s unexpected serving of a lawsuit to Tanner.
He seemed less angry and worried over it than me now. I guess that might be the age or maturity thing. I wanted to do something about itright nowdespite what I’d said about not giving Carson the satisfaction of an immediate response. That sounded good and rational, but it was eating at me.
“You okay?” He must have noticed my frown. I could feel it indenting my brow.
I huffed a big sigh. “Yes. I guess so. As much as I know there’s nothing to be done about it this second, it burns me that Carson served you with a cease and desist.”
He nodded. “It burns me too, but you’re right about him wanting a big response. We’ve got a good plan and I’m going to do my best to stick with it.”
I stood and started pacing again. And frowning.
“Nope, let’s not do that again. I’m getting you out of here and into the fresh air and sunshine. C’mon, we’re going fishing.”
