Page 112 of Courage, Dear Heart

I don’t think my father had anything to do with this. I don’t believe he’s capable of setting a building on fire with people inside of it. He’s ambitious and greedy and not opposed to using his contacts and going down a road that’s not ethical. But this? It can’t be.

The way Jillian looked at me. The pain and doubt in her eyes. It broke me.

I don’t know what I can do, but I know I have to do something.

Taking my phone out of my pocket, I turn away from the building and walk to my car. This can’t wait. I have two people to call tonight. I dial, not caring it’s so late.

The phone rings three times before she answers.

“Elliott? What happened?”

As soon as I hear her voice, peace comes over me. Along with an idea. “Grandma? Sorry for calling so late. This can’t wait. We need to talk.”

SIXTY-FOUR

Elliott

When I walkinto the office hours later, I find my father waiting for me in my office again. I’m so not in the mood to entertain him today. Not after the fire and not after getting a call from Sheila asking me not to go into the hospital this morning. Jillian is overwhelmed and needs a day to think before talking to me again. And I can’t call or text her because her phone was lost in the fire. Or so they think. She can’t go in and see if there’s anything they can salvage. But between the fire, the smoke, and the water damage, it’s unlikely there’s much left. They’ll let her in after the investigation is complete and if the structure is sound.

For her sake, I hope this happens fast. Fire investigations could take days for something small and simple or months if arson is suspected.

My father is all smiles this morning. “Come in. Close the door.”

I walk into the office but don’t take a seat on the chair in front of my desk. If I have anythingwithin reach, I might throw it at him. The decorative paperweight on the corner of my desk is looking mighty appealing. I drop on the sofa instead. Nothing to grab but a pillow. Although I could smother him with it.

He swivels in my chair, still grinning. “Have you heard?”

“Heard what?” My voice is dry.

“The building burned down.” He claps his hands. Like this is something to celebrate.

My jaw grinds and ticks.

He goes on, completely oblivious to my decidedly not happy demeanor. “I gave you a week to get her out and here it is.”

What? “What the fuck, Dad. Do you think I had anything to do with it?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know anything. I don’t want to know anything. And I don’t care. The old nag doesn’t have a reason not to sell now. And with all the damage, we can get it cheaper.”

The veil falls from my eyes. All my life I’ve tried to live up to his expectations. To earn his respect and love. But he’s not capable of either. All he cares about is money and power.

I stand up, hands fisted at my sides. What am I going to do? Beat the crap out of my own father? I stop myself. “I had nothing to do with the fire. Two people were in the building. They could have died or been seriously hurt. I care for them.”

He waves a hand in dismissal. “But they didn’t. The news said they were fine and even saved their parrot.” He huffs. “What a stupid pet to have. A bird shitting everywhere.”

I squeeze my temple. Maybe one punch. One tiny, little punch. Right in his smug face.

He stands up. “Get the nag on the phone. Offer yoursympathies first. Then go for the kill. This is the time to get the building.” He leaves, still grinning. The fucker even has a bounce in his step.

I close the door behind him. “I’ll call Leonora all right.” I had already planned on calling her. Have to wait to hear back from Grandma first.

My phone rings and Grandma’s face shows on the screen.

“I was thinking of you.”

“Everything is in place. Now we wait.”

I sigh. Relief washes over me like a cool breeze on a hot day. “Thank you, Nana.”

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