“Perfect. I’ll see you Thursday at ten.”
After I hung up, I sat on the bed, thinking. Although I wanted to meet with Blake to find out what he knew about my gift, I didn’t want to walk into a trap. I needed to get more information about the will and Blake’s involvement.
Emmitt sat back and watched me as I grabbed the phone book.
Three hours later, when I hung up the phone, my head spun from all of the information I’d won. The will, which was straightforward, had gone to probate. Richard’s estate included properties I hadn’t known he owned. Everything went to me as sole beneficiary.
I didn’t understand why he’d left everything to me, his stepdaughter, when he had two sons of his own. Then, I realized by not naming them in the will, Richard had protected them. Blake had no reason to pursue my brothers, unless he still wanted to use them to control me. It also meant that Richard had put a lot of faith in me to take my brothers with me when I ran. And, he had trusted me to keep them safe.
Since Richard hadn’t specified an executor, one had been appointed. There’d been no surprise when I’d been told Blake was trying to contest it. By being an executor, he’d have control of everything in my absence. After speaking with the court appointed executor, I could see no reason there even needed to be a meeting other than to get us in the open so Blake could do whatever it was he had planned.
“I don’t think we should go,” I said to Emmitt.
He frowned thoughtfully. “If we don’t, Blake is still out there and this trip will have been for nothing.”
He moved to sit near me on the bed and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “The lawyer’s in the phone book. I checked, so we know he’s real. Even if he’s being paid off, he’d have to be careful with what he’s involved in.”
“But what if Blake brings people with him, like Frank and that other guy?”
“We’ll bring more powerful people.”
I liked Grey and Carlos well enough but didn’t think they could take on Blake’s entire following. “Three, no matter how strong or fast they are, against an unknown number, doesn’t seem like a good idea.”
He grinned at me. “Not just us. One thing Blake won’t want is people knowing what’s going on. I heard you talking and heard how much Richard’s properties are worth. Call the news. Bring them with. Say you want to donate half of your inheritance to a charity. With a camera on you, he can’t touch you.”
I remembered the video of Richard’s mauling and doubted his plan would be as safe as he thought. Blake hadn’t seemed too concerned about public exposure, then.
We debated what to do until just past dark and our stomachs growled. With no better options, I called the local news.
Emmitt was right. As soon as I mentioned an eight-figure inheritance, I had the media’s attention. The person I spoke with took down the information for the lawyer and agreed to have someone there.
I managed to say goodbye before Emmitt plucked the phone from my hands.
“Enough for tonight,” he said gently.
I nodded in agreement. I was emotionally drained and ready for bed, but Emmitt insisted we eat. I grinned, knowing he was the hungry one this time. He ordered room service while I took a shower.
My thoughts kept running over what I knew about Blake. Why fight to get control of Richard’s assets? Yes, the number was large, but what about Blake’s take? He should have made at least that amount. I’d always given the tips to Blake via phone or in person. Except that last time.
Briefly towel drying my hair, I wished again that I would have better premonitions. Something useful like what Blake had planned. Sighing in frustration, I pulled on my pajamas and joined Emmitt in the room. There was no point in dwelling on what I couldn’t control, and my premonitions fell into that category.
My hair had mostly air dried by the time the food arrived. Emmitt tipped the room service person and groaned in appreciation of the aroma coming from the trays as he set them on the table. I teased him by reaching for the half-pound burger, and he playfully growled before offering to share a bite. Shaking my head, I reached for the smaller burger and carried it over to one of the beds.
“I’ll take this bed,” I said sitting down on the end of it.
He stopped mid-chew and looked up. He studied me for a moment then resumed chewing the bite in his mouth.
I watched him swallow and take a drink from his soda, wondering at his reaction.
“No,” he said. Then, he took another bite still watching me. His look, so intense and focused, made me a little uneasy and very confused.
“Okay. I didn’t know you had a preference.” I got up and moved to the other bed. This time I didn’t look at him but reached for the remote and turned on the television.