Page 58 of Barbed Wire and Burglary
“What do we know about her?” A.J.’s voice was brisk. “Other than the obvious stuff, of course.” He spread his hands. “Ex-girlfriend. Personal assistant. Yada yada. But what about before all of that?”
All eyes turned toward Aaron. “She’s the daughter of a JSA board member. Dropped out of Harvard and Yale. It was rumored she switched college towns every time she got bored with the shopping. Typical spoiled, indulged rich kid.” Self-loathing flooded him as he struggled to remember what he’d ever seen in her.
“She was adopted,” Uncle Cary chimed in. His breathing was less labored than before, and he was able to speak with more clarity. “Your parents were friends of her parents. They adopted children at the same time. Not because your moms couldn’t have children. They just didn’t want to. I remember Helen saying years ago…” He adjusted the oxygen cord and drew a few deep breaths. “…that giving birth naturally was inconvenient.”
“Inconvenient!” Aurora sounded forlorn.
Aaron’s gaze narrowed on his uncle. “Since we probably don’t have much time before the FBI gets here?—”
“Here?” Uncle Cary looked astonished. “Why would they come to the hospital instead of going after her?”
“Uh…” Aaron exchanged a troubled look with his sister. “Maybe because of the life insurance payouts you received for our parents?”
Uncle Cary frowned. “What are you talking about?”
“Millions of dollars, Uncle Cary, not that we care about the money.” Aurora made a sad sound that tore at Aaron’s heart. “What we don’t get is why you hid the death certificates from us.”
His blank look was telling. “I’m lost.” He yanked his oxygen cord from his nose, scowling in pure agitation atthem. “If you’re accusing me of something, just get on with it!”
“He doesn’t know,” Aaron said suddenly. Relief flooded him so powerfully that he felt like weeping. “Because he’s innocent.”
“Innocent of what?” their uncle howled. “I don’t even know what I’m being accused of!”
Laughter and tears followed his complaint.
The FBI arrived, and more questions flew back-and-forth. The Feds started digging into Elise’s background. Before nightfall, they were able to piece together a chilling story about a previously unknown side of Aaron’s ex-girlfriend.
She wasn’t simply a college dropout. She was a dangerous con artist, who’d infiltrated the JSA through her adoptive parents. No one was certain how she’d gotten her hands on the Collector’s list of missing treasures, but an investigation into her life of crime was underway. A warrant was issued, and an award was posted for any information leading to her arrest.
Aaron, Aurora, and A.J. remained at Uncle Cary’s bedside long past visiting hours, but no one asked them to leave. It probably helped that FBI agents were stationed outside the door of his room.
They returned early the next morning to talk through all the mixed signals and miscommunication that had been piling up between them.
“I should’ve never said anything yesterday about your mother’s reasons for adopting.” Their uncle’s voice was beseeching. “She loved you. That’s all that matters.”
His words brought on another round of tears now that the FBI had verified the death certificates for Helen and James Cannon were real. Uncle Cary wasn’t the onewho’d collected their life insurance proceeds, however. Elise was.
“You kids were never an inconvenience to them or me,” he continued gruffly. “Why else do you think I dragged my reclusive carcass into the office?”
It had been an act of love. They could see that now.
Aurora sat on the edge of his bed, cradling his hand between hers. “While we’re apologizing, I’m sorry for treating you like such an oddball.”
He gave a dry cackle. “I am an oddball.”
“An honest one that stole our hearts years ago.” She squeezed his hand affectionately. “Don’t even think of fading back into the woodwork, because we’ll simply drag you out again. You’re all the family we have left.”
He reddened with appreciation. “Maybe we can strike a compromise, because CEO material I am not.” Remorse infused his voice. “All the bad stuff happened under my watch.”
“Not true.” Aaron snorted. “Elise was working there before you showed up.” He was never going to forgive himself for dating such a horrible person.
One week later
Aaron’s phonevibrated with an incoming call. He turned off the vacuum and scanned the caller ID. It was his boss.
“Elise Hathaway was spotted on a traffic camera.” He described the location.
She’s back in town?Aaron’s shoulders tensed. “When?”
