Representatives from local farm-related businesses handed out brochures and freebies. Skye spotted a cousin from her father’s side, Kevin Denison. He was there representing his insurance company, which reminded her that she needed to remind him about her checks. Now the company owed her for both her car and her windows.

Charlie stopped at a group of older women gathered around a picnic table. “Good evening, ladies, do you all know my goddaughter, Skye Denison?”

The women murmured hello and Charlie told Skye their names. At the last one he said, “And this is Hilda Quinn. I believe she went to school with your Aunt Mona and your Aunt Minnie.”

“My, yes. I was in Minnie’s class and Mona was two years behind us.” Hilda’s bright blue eyes darted from Charlie to Skye.

“Skye, would you mind waiting here while I take care of some business? I’m sure these ladies will take good care of you.” Charlie winked and walked away before she could answer.

With the focus of attention clearly in her direction, Skye smiled and sat down. She wasn’t sure how to start, but the others had no qualms.

A woman with meticulously styled hair said, “We’re very sorry about your family’s troubles.”

Skye nodded her appreciation, wondering if she meant her grandmother’s death, her aunt’s attempted suicide, or the fact that everyone thought one of her relatives was a killer.

The group chatted politely for a few minutes before drifting back into their previous conversations. Skye lowered her voice and directed her question to Hilda. “Did you know my aunts very well when you were at school?”

“Yes, Minnie and I were pretty close until…” Hilda’s voice trailed off.

It took a moment, but Skye remembered what her father had said on the drive to her grandmother’s funeral. Of course, that must be what the nurse in the picture was about. Minnie’s breakdown. “Until she left school?”

“Why yes. When she came back she wasn’t the same.”

“How long was she gone?” Skye studied the other woman intently.

“About a month or so. I remember she left right around Easter and was back before Mother’s Day.” Hilda took a sip of her coffee.

“But she didn’t go back to school, did she?” Skye tried to keep things straight in her head.

“No, Mona did, but not Minnie. It was a real shame too. Not to graduate when you’re so close.”

“Do you know why they went away?” Skye couldn’t think of a way to ask delicately.

“We were told it was for Minnie’s health. She had been having spells since she was little. I remember the day she went away, we were walking out of school together after the last bell and your grandfather pulled up in the family car.” Hilda’s eyes took on a faraway look, as if she was thinking of something she hadn’t contemplated in years.

“Wow, you have an impressive memory,” Skye said, encouraging her.

Hilda frowned. “Do you remember your grandpa?”

“No, he died when I was three.”

“He was an old-fashioned man. Very dignified. He kept himself aloof from most people. It was rare to see him in town without Antonia.”

“But he came alone to pick up Minnie and Mona on that day?”

“No, that was another reason why I remember it so well. He had a nurse with him.”

To Skye, everything suddenly became quiet and still. Her hands shook as she extracted the photo from her purse. “Was this the woman?”

Hilda leaned forward and adjusted her glasses. “Yes, that’s the nurse. How did you get a picture of her?”

Ignoring Hilda’s question, Skye crossed her fingers. “Do you know her name?”

“Well, your grandfather certainly didn’t introduce us.” Hilda scowled. “He always treated people like he was a king and they were his servants.”

“Like Uncle Neal does.”

“Right.” Hilda nodded. “That lord of the manor attitude.”

“So, you didn’t get the nurse’s name.”

“Well, not verbally, but when Mr. Leofanti and that nurse came up to us on the sidewalk, they each took one of the girls by the arm. The nurse was on my side and I could read the nameplate pinned to her uniform.”

Skye hardly dared to breathe. “Do you remember it?”

“We’d been reading The Scarlet Letter in English class and I thought it was an odd coincidence that the nurse’s name was so close to the woman’s in the story.” Hilda closed her eyes for a second. “Her name was Esther Prynn.”

“You have a remarkable memory. I’m amazed.” Skye could hardly sit still.

“It helps that I’m an English teacher and my class has read The Scarlet Letter every year for the past twenty-five years.”

CHAPTER 18

There Was an Old Woman

The lawyer was late. Skye narrowed her eyes and crossed her legs. She hated being kept waiting when she had an appointment. If she didn’t have to ask this jerk for a favor, she would be out of there so fast. But she needed to find out the details of her grandmother’s trust and, according to her mother, this bozo was the one who had drawn it up.

Another fifteen minutes passed and Skye could stand it no longer. She put her purse and book on the chair and went up to the desk. “Do you know how much longer Mr. Ginardi will be? I have other appointments this morning.”

“I have no idea.” The woman didn’t look up from her magazine.

“Would it be possible for you to check?” Skye gritted her teeth.

“He doesn’t like to be interrupted.”

Before Skye could think of anything else to say, a man poked his head out of the doorway behind the woman. When he saw Skye looking at him he flushed. “Ah… you must be Miss Denison. Come in.”

Skye followed him and sat in the chair he indicated.

He spoke to her without making eye contact. “I’m Bob Ginardi. I’m afraid we’ll have to be quick about this. I need to leave in a few minutes.”

Skye clenched her teeth. What nerve. First he made her wait over half an hour, and now he was going to rush her in and out. Still she couldn’t afford to offend him, yet. “I’ll try not to take up too much of your time.” Skye got out a notepad and pen. “Since you have only a few minutes for me, let’s get down to business. What I need to know is how my grandmother’s trust works.”

The lawyer frowned. “I really can’t talk to you about it since you’re not named in the trust.”

She reached in her tote and handed him an envelope. “That’s from my mother, who is a part of the trust, allowing me to act on her behalf.”

“It’s not notarized.” He slid the paper back to her, a look of relief on his face. “You’ll have to make another appointment.” Ginardi took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“No.” Skye realized this man not only didn’t want to talk to her, but was afraid to talk to her. What was he hiding?

The lawyer’s features registered surprise.

“I’m not leaving without this information. We are not talking state secrets here. All I need to know is how my family’s Bypass Trust works. If you feel you can’t tell me, I will call my mother and she’ll ask the questions.” Skye looked at her watch. “But that may take some time.”

Ginardi laughed nervously. “You can’t hold me hostage.”

“Maybe not, but are you willing to call the police to get rid of me?” Before he could answer, Skye continued, “Because if I don’t get answers today, the next time I come here will be with my mother, our attorney, and an auditor.”

He swallowed. “Okay, no need to get so upset. I have to protect confidentiality.” After using his handkerchief again he went on. “I guess I can explain the trust to you, at least in broad terms.”

“Fine.”

“A simple Bypass Trust means half of the estate goes to the surviving spouse at the time of the other spouse’s death. And the other half goes into a family trust with the income from that half going to the surviving spouse, as well.”

“So, except for Grandma, no one got a dime while she was living.” Skye tried to ease him into being more specific.