She stirred the coffee carefully.
“The thing is, Eleanor, given the way James has organised this, I will need your cooperation.”
“Oh?” I tilted my head questioningly, as if I hadn’t expected this conversation.
« The will situation is clearly some kind of mistake or misunderstanding. James would never intentionally put me in such a difficult position. » Her tone hardened slightly before she recovered. « I’ve spoken to a lawyer who suggests we could avoid lengthy legal proceedings if you simply transfer the house to me, as James would like. »
My eyes widened, showing more consideration than the outrage I felt as she tried to manipulate me by exploiting my son’s supposed wishes.
“I see,” I said slowly. “What does your lawyer say about James updating his will just three months ago to make these arrangements?”
A flash of irritation crossed her face, then a mask of genuine sadness returned.
« James hasn’t been himself these past few months. He’s been working too much, stressed about things. He hasn’t been thinking clearly about what’s best for our family. »
“That must have been difficult for both of you,” I said gently, as if considering her explanation.
« That’s what happened, » she sighed dramatically, « and that’s why I think he’d want us to fix this oversight. Now. For Lucas’s sake. »
Her appeal to Lucas’s well-being, her trump card, was used exactly as I expected. I took a sip of coffee, giving myself time to formulate a response.
“I understand your concerns,” I finally said. “But making hasty decisions during a time of grief isn’t wise. Maybe we should give ourselves some time to adjust to the situation before making major changes.”
Sophia’s smile became almost imperceptible.
« Of course you need time. But the apartment I found won’t be available for long. It would be so much easier for Lucas if we could get everything sorted out quickly and let him start healing in his new surroundings. »
I recognized a sales tactic that artificially creates a sense of urgency to force a quick decision. Years spent teaching negotiation strategies to psychology students were not wasted.
“Maybe we should ask Lucas what he thinks about the move?” I suggested gently. “Maybe he’ll find solace in a home where he has so many memories of his father.”
« Children don’t always know what’s best for them, » Sophia replied smoothly. « That’s why adults make decisions like that. Besides, he’s already dealing with quite a bit of emotional turmoil. »
I noticed how skillfully she played the role of protective parent, while subtly suggesting that I would hurt Lucas by consulting him about his own feelings. James’s letter rustled in my memory. She will try to manipulate you.
“You’re probably right,” I admitted, watching the relief on her face. “Give me a few days to think about all this. It was a shock.”
« Of course, » she agreed, clearly believing she had made progress. « Take the weekend. But Eleanor, » she added, lowering her voice to a confidential tone, « I’m worried about finances, given the current situation. James took care of everything, and now I’m dealing with credit card bills, the mortgage… »
The mortgage, which, according to the will, was now my responsibility. But I kept that observation to myself.
“I’d be happy to help you review your household bills,” I suggested, taking advantage of the opportunity. “Maybe we could discuss everything together.”
“That’s not necessary,” she said quickly. “I just wanted the house issue to be resolved so I could access the capital we’d built up for Lucas’s education and well-being.”
An educational fund that James deliberately placed under my control as trustee.
I wondered if she realized how obvious her motivations were to someone skilled at observing human behavior.
“We’ll talk more next week,” I suggested, standing up, as if our conversation had calmed me rather than alarmed me. “I should get some rest before I pick Lucas up from school.”
After Sophia left, I sat alone in the quiet house, mentally reviewing our interaction. She clearly saw me as a grieving, somewhat passive older woman who could be manipulated into giving up what James had entrusted to me. For now, I needed her to continue to believe that.
I picked up the phone and called Thomas Bennett.
« I need to understand exactly what evidence James has collected, » I told him without preamble, « and how we can gather more. This is going to be a longer game than I expected. »
Sophia wasted no time trying to manipulate me into signing the contract for the house. Using Lucas’s well-being as emotional leverage, she played the role of the sympathetic, grieving widow, while I played the role of the submissive, grieving mother-in-law. I seemed to be considering her offer while secretly planning a counteroffensive. James warned me she would fight dirty, but he didn’t know his mother was ready to fight smarter. The show had begun, and I was determined to be the better actress in this dangerous play.
“Grandma, Mom says I have to go to Miami with her next weekend, but I don’t want to.”
Lucas’s worried face looked up at me as I tucked him into bed a week after James’s funeral. It was the first such visit to Miami I’d heard of, and it immediately aroused my suspicions.
“Miami?” I tried to speak calmly, my mind racing. “That sounds like an adventure.”
Lucas shook his head, hugging the stuffed dinosaur tighter.
“She says her friend Richard has a boat and we’re staying at a fancy hotel, but I have to turn in my science project on Monday, and Dad always helped me with that.”
I gently smoothed his hair.
“Did you tell your mom about the science project?”
“She said I could let it go. That teachers understand when… when your dad dies.” His voice rang in my ears. “But Dad wouldn’t want me to let it go. He always said commitments are important.”
“Your father was right,” I agreed, committing the conversation to memory. “I’ll talk to your mother tomorrow. Maybe we can work something out.”
When Lucas fell asleep, I called Thomas Bennett at his home number, which he had given me for urgent matters.
“Miami?” Thomas’s voice sharpened as I explained the situation. “Richard Harlo. Do you know him?”
“Really?” I asked, surprised.
“That’s the developer I mentioned at our meeting yesterday, the one James had his doubts about,” Thomas said cautiously. “Eleanor, did you install the home monitoring system I recommended?”
« Yes, the technician finished today. Cameras in the common areas and a security system that sends notifications to my phone. »
I followed Thomas’s advice and decided to improve the security of my home, although the goal was different from what a grieving family typically thinks of.
« Good. This recording capability could prove valuable. » He paused. « I’m sending you materials from James’s private files by courier tomorrow. Don’t open the package where anyone might see you. »
The next morning, after dropping Lucas off at school, I received a sealed manila envelope. Inside were printouts of text messages between Sophia and someone listed in her phone simply as « RH, » dated from various times over the past eight months. James had apparently accessed her call logs in a way I didn’t want to question, given his legal experience.
The news painted a devastating picture. An affair that began almost a year ago. Plans made and broken. Complaints about James working overtime, about being trapped in a marriage, references to Lucas as a « complication » in their relationship plans.
The most disturbing exchanges were those from just two months ago.
RH: How long will we maintain this uncertainty? You said you were ready to leave.
Sophia: Patience. Jay is in all the important places. First, I need to improve my financial situation. I’m working on it.
RH: A Cayman Islands property won’t last forever. It’s the perfect opportunity for a fresh start.
Sophia: Trust me. A few more months, max. Everything will work out.
I leaned back, my hands trembling slightly. These weren’t the usual messages documenting an affair. They revealed that Sophia was planning to leave James, but first wanted to secure financial resources. Had James discovered these messages and changed his will in response? Was that why Sophia was so shocked by the provisions?
Also included in the package was a private investigator report commissioned by James, containing photos of Sophia and Richard entering the hotel together, expense reports showing gifts he had bought for her, and information about Harlo’s business dealings—some of which seemed ethically questionable.
The final piece was a handwritten note from James to Thomas, dated just three weeks before his death.
Male,
Attached is everything I’ve gathered. I’m unsure what my next steps should be. Confronting her could make it harder for me to contact Lucas if things go south. I need to protect him first and foremost. We’ll meet next Thursday to discuss options.
Jacob
James died on Tuesday. The meeting never took place.
Armed with this knowledge, I strategically approached my conversation with Sophia about going to Miami. I waited until she came to pick up Lucas’s duffel bag on Friday afternoon.
“Lucas mentioned you were planning a trip to Miami,” I said lightly. “Just a quick weekend getaway?”
“Just a quick weekend getaway,” Sophia replied, glancing at her designer watch. “It’s good that she has some entertainment.”
“He’s worried he won’t be able to turn in his science project on time,” I mentioned casually. “You know how James always emphasized science.”
Sophia’s smile grew wider.
« A weekend off won’t hurt his GPA, Eleanor. The school psychologist actually recommended new experiences to help him cope with the loss. »
“That makes sense,” I said. “Although I wonder if going on a cruise with Richard wouldn’t be a bit much so soon after losing his father. Lucas seems worried about that.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly when I mentioned Richard’s name.
« Lucas will be fine. Children are adaptable. »
“Certainly,” I agreed. “Although sometimes they need familiar procedures during trauma. I’d be happy to keep him here to finish his project if it would help you further your plans.”
I saw the calculation in her eyes, weighing the freedom of a weekend without the kids against the need to maintain the appearance of a devoted mother.
“It’s nice, but unnecessary,” she finally said. “This trip is about strengthening the bond between mother and son.”
“Of course,” I admitted, then added innocently, “Oh, I was just going to ask. Do you know the password to James’s home computer?” Lucas was hoping to find some photos for the scrapbook his therapist recommended.
“I don’t track James’s passwords,” she said dismissively. “Have Thomas check his office files.”
Another note to my growing mental catalog. Sophia claimed she didn’t know James’s passwords, which most spouses would share. I’d already found his notebook of passwords in his desk drawer, but her answer was telling.
“One more thing,” I said as she turned to leave. “Lucas’s teacher wants parent volunteers to take part in a field trip to the science museum next Wednesday. Since I’m not officially a parent, I thought you might want to sign up. Children who have lost parents seem to find these trips especially difficult.”
It was a test, I suspected she would fail.
“I have an all-day spa appointment on Wednesday,” she said. “I’ve been waiting for this for weeks. Psychiatric care,” she added with a theatrical sigh. “You get the idea.”
“Of course,” I said sympathetically. “Self-care is important during grief. I’ll explain that to Lucas’s teacher.”
After she left, promising to return Sunday evening with Lucas, I immediately called Thomas.
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