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"Could you please extend my apologies to her for not inviting her tonight? I didn't want to see your face either, but custom dictates that at least one of your family be present."
I don't know what I would have said if I were William, but he looked like he'd eaten sushi from a questionable place and was now about to sprint to the washroom.
I had this irresistible urge to laugh—something that always happened to me when I was nervous. I began tapping my knees nervously.
"Now, back to the topic at hand." Harold surveyed the room once more.
"For those of you who are new here," he said, acknowledging my presence with a small smile, "I tend to close these dinners with one of three things. A treasure hunt, a little farewell gift, or a quiz. Tonight, I am too tired to do any of these. So, I will keep it short and simple. I intend to settle into a life of retirement soon. In fact, I have found a quaint little home that is quite perfect."
His eyes became dreamy as his tongue drawled over "perfect". I immediately found myself picturing a small, cute little place in the mountains somewhere.
But did that mean he'd leave Oakmont?
I found the man eccentric, but I liked him. I'd miss seeing him around.
"Before I make my departure, I have some things to attend to. The most unsavory of all of these is the matter of my estates, including, of course, this mansion."
Whatever fledglings of chatter had begun across the room were now completely silent.
It was like the library on days we didn't have kids.
"I have debated long and hard." Harold's lips began trembling. "This house, its accursed walls, and all the war and blood it has seen, tires me to my bones. I cannot be part of it anymore.
"Maybe it would do better with someone who can come in and see it with fresh eyes. An innocent heart.
"I feel nothing for my people, for they belonged to a clan that purposefully tried to wipe an entire race extinct. I would rather not be associated with a single dollar to do with the Montgomery name. But I have been greedy ... far too greedy, yes ... and I am repenting now."
Did Harold need some help?
I was in half a mind to call an Uber and get him checked up because he looked like he was going to have a fit or something.
"It is not too late to make amends. It cannot be."
He suddenly rose from his chair and brandished his arms out in my direction.
"So, before leaving, I must announce this. All my estates, businesses, this mansion, and the properties associated with the Montgomery line—everything will pass on to Ms. Juniper Davis."
Well, bless the old man, but he was off his rocker. I didn't like money jokes. They made me distinctly uncomfortable.
But his face ... why did it look like he was miles away from joking?
And why was the rest of the room suddenly looking at me like I was a lamb up for slaughter?
I didn't know what to say, so I opened my mouth to just tell him he needed to stop playing.
Before I could do that, he dropped face-front on the table.
His head crashed on a plate of half-eaten pecan pie.
A smattering of blood meandered onto the soft white tablecloth.
It was as red as the amaryllis it coursed toward.
4
Grizzly
Five Years Ago
