Chapter Fifteen

“I can’t believe you lied to me, Bevie.”

Finn suggested they all retreat to his client’s cottage. The media hadn’t taken long in discovering the whereabouts of the new heiress and showed up on the docks just as she and Regina were about to argue. A public squabble was bad, to say the least. So, they all hugged, smiled, and waved while they walked the short distance back to the house.

He wanted to leave them alone and go to the guest bedroom. When he suggested just that, Regina Winslow pointed at him. “You’ll stay. I need answers.”

He crossed his arms and waited his turn.

Regina grilled her daughter. “Did you think I wouldn’t hear about all this? The Boston Globe is online now, or hadn’t you heard? And then to find out how close you were to dying!” Regina stood and put her hands on her hips. She was a lovely, slender woman, not as tall as her daughter, but they shared the same hair color and eyes. Meanwhile, Beverly sat on the couch of the tiny living room, saying nothing.

Regina stared down at her daughter. “You send me and Joe off on some ruse to get me out of the picture, so you could go behind my back. Why? I just don’t understand what you were thinking. How do you think it feels to know my only daughter was almost killed just two days ago, and you didn’t think to call me?”

“Now, Reggie, I told ya she had her reasons,” the man named Joe—who Finn still hadn’t been introduced to—said quietly from his corner in the wooden rocker.

She turned on him. “I told you I wasn’t speaking to you. The fact you were in on this, going behind my back, is betrayal, Joe.”

Finn decided he might as well step in. “Ms. Winslow, if I may, I’d like to introduce myself.” He stood tall and extended a hand to Regina. “I’m Finn Callahan. I was your father’s attorney for the last three years, and I now represent your daughter.” He walked over to where Joe still sat in the rocker and offered a hand to him. Joe stood and shook.

“Finn Callahan, pleasure to see you again.”

Joe grunted, took off his cap, scratched his head. “Reggie, you better let these kids say their bit. You and me can settle our differences later.”

He thought he looked world-weary and beaten down. He wasn’t the same man he had met a few weeks ago when he’d first visited Atlantic Charters. Regina interrupted his thoughts.

“I know who you are; I saw the press conference on the airport TV when we landed.” She rounded on her daughter. “Look what you’ve made us do. We’ve been rude.” She turned back to him. “Call me Reggie, everyone does. I apologize for the yelling. I’m in shock. I’d like an explanation, but since my daughter doesn’t seem inclined, perhaps you’d like a coffee and then you can tell me what is going on?”

“I’d love some coffee, but I’m afraid your daughter should tell you her reasons herself.” He had no idea why she did what she did. She had called her mother fragile, he remembered. This woman in front of him appeared anything but fragile. Maybe she was overprotective. He couldn’t really blame her; the Winslow family could be intimidating.

He was starting to lose his patience, though. She still had said nothing. He went through the motions of coffee with Reggie and Joe, as she sat in the same position on the couch, saying nothing. Finally, he tapped her hand. “It’s getting late. Why don’t you tell us what you’re thinking?”

****

Bev owed them all an explanation. But how could she tell Ma she didn’t think she was emotionally equipped to take this news? She had to say something to her mother. She hated lying, but she had no choice. She took a deep breath and faced her mother.

“Ma, I was going to tell you, but then there was the accident at the offices, and…I’m so sorry. You deserved better than this. I thought you’d be upset Reginald left me the money and ignored you. I’d hoped I could turn down the money so it wouldn’t touch you. So that family couldn’t hurt you again.”

At least that was partly the truth.

“Bevie, I’m not that petty. I’m happy for you. You were born for this. Reginald would know how brilliant you are. That’s why he chose you. How could you think I’d be upset? Why in the world would you turn down the money?”

She hated her mother made it sound like an honor she was chosen to run Reginald’s empire. Resentment welled up in her. “I don’t put the same stock in Reginald’s decisions as you do, Ma. He decided to disown you, remember?”

Her mother cupped her face. “The man was an idiot about family. But at least this part he got right. I can’t believe you’d think I would care about the money, though. We’ve done all right, you and me.”

She gripped her mother’s hands. “Of course, Ma. It wasn’t the money I was thinking of anyway. I was just worried about you and what you’d do. It was stupid not to tell you. I’m sorry.”

Reggie’s face relaxed into a small smile. “Poor Bevie, always a worrier. Most of that’s my fault. I should have done better by you.”

“We don’t need to talk about the past.” She didn’t need a guilty meltdown from her mother right now.

But Reggie surprised her. “You’re right. That’s the past, and I’m better than I was. We need to talk about what’s happening now.” Pivoting to Finn, who was still standing at the kitchen counter she gestured to him. “I think that’s where you come in, Mr. Callahan. You want to tell me what all this means and why someone tried to hurt my baby?”

“Ma, it isn’t Finn’s job to do this. He shouldn’t even be here.”

He sauntered right into the little living room adjacent to the kitchen and sat on the white sofa between her and her mother. “I’ll explain what I can, Reggie, and please call me Finn.”

She glared at him, but he just plowed on with his explanation. “Since I notified Beverly of Reginald’s wishes three weeks ago, we had been able to keep the information quiet. That is to say, no one knew he planned this until the morning he passed away. That day I notified Serena and her family there was a possibility of someone else inheriting. I didn’t use those words, but I told them not to make any changes. I had to do this since she was in the process of firing the staff at the Maine house.”

Reggie chuckled. “Sounds just like her.”

“After the will reading, it became apparent Serena would contest. She hired one of the best probate attorneys in Boston. But no papers were filed. To be honest, I was too worried about Beverly turning down the money at that point to think of Serena as a clear threat.” He gripped the mug in his hand.

“Two days ago, your daughter’s offices were blown up in what we assume was supposed to look like an accident. I contacted a friend in the FBI; she is quietly investigating on her own time. They also recommended a security team for her. This concerns your daughter, but I assured her Reginald had security most of his life. It would be expected.”

Reggie rounded on her at this news. “You’re taking the security team, young lady.”

“Yes, Ma.” Outnumbered, she tried to change the subject. “That’s gotten you up to date, Ma. Now you know as much as we do.”

“That isn’t quite true, honey.” Reggie patted his shoulder. “What does your friend at the FBI think? Are there any leads?”

“Other than you, Serena and John Hamilton and their children are the only other people who stand to gain anything from the estate. That makes Serena or John top of the suspect list.” He shook his head. “I’m sorry to be so blunt about family.”

Reggie lifted a slender shoulder. “It’s all right. I’m aware of the kind of person Serena is.”

“That’s just it, though. We made the decision to announce Beverly was the heir in order to draw out the suspect. It was the best plan at the time. But it’s doing the opposite. John told us Serena would not contest the will and that they would do whatever necessary for the reputation of the company and family name.”

“That isn’t surprising to me,” Reggie mused. “John was always a lovely man. He had a way with Serena. She was quick to blow up when she was angry. He could always calm her. John was logical and a very good businessperson. He would see the best option would be to rally around whomever was the future of the company. He probably convinced Serena to back off.”

“Ma, I didn’t know you knew John.”.

“Serena was married young. Our father handpicked John Hamilton for her. He made a good choice too. They were suited. So, yes, I knew him for about two years before I left. He was always very nice to me, especially after one of Serena’s tantrums. She could be frightening.” Reggie laughed. “It’s amazing; it seems as if she hasn’t grown up at all.”

“Some people don’t.”

Reggie nodded her agreement. “Where does this leave my baby girl?”

Finn put his mug down. “I can’t share that with you. I’m afraid that’s up to Beverly.”

“It’s lovely you use her full name.” Reggie nudged her daughter.

He winked. “It’s a lovely name.”

Bev was about through with the direction the conversation was headed. “We’re drifting off course here, Ma.” She cleared her throat. Embarrassed suddenly, she and Joe looked at each other, clearly the only two uncomfortable people in the room. Eager to change the subject, she asked, “What else do you need to know?”

“What do you plan to do next, honey?”

“I plan on fulfilling the dictates of that ridiculous will your father had Finn write. If I don’t, people could lose their jobs. I planned on asking you and Joe to help with Atlantic Charters, if you’re up for it? I will try to be a part of that as much as I can, but I’ll need you two to take over, especially this summer. We can use the cottage as offices for right now.” She stood and paced the small room. “I visit the Maine house this weekend and then I officially move in to the Boston apartment and start work at Winslow Holdings on Monday. That gives us five days to plan.”

“Of course we’ll help. Don’t worry about a thing.”

“Yeah, okay. Who’s going to give the wildlife lectures on the tours?”

Joe loudly cleared his throat. “I can captain and see to the repairs. Your ma can do the business side, no problem. And that know-it-all you hired last year as an intern had a way with the folks.”

Bev had forgotten about Allison. She would be perfect. She couldn’t drive the boat, but Joe was licensed for that.

“That’s genius, Joe. She can handle it. With any luck, we might break even this summer—” She broke off when Finn began to laugh.

“What’s so funny?”

“You just inherited a company worth more than a billion dollars. Your cash holdings are upwards of three hundred million. You’re worrying about breaking even? Like I said before, you are one of the strangest women I’ve met.”

She said nothing to this, still unsure if it was a compliment or not. Her mother looked speculatively at Finn. “And what about you, Finn? Will you abandon my daughter after you get the security team in place?”

“Not at all. I am to oversee her progress for the year. Although, she doesn’t need me. She’s going to be fine. She can handle it. She can replace me if she’d like, since all I need to do is check in with her occasionally. Reginald left you the option there, Beverly. If you would prefer a different attorney, I can recommend someone. There are a few excellent choices in the city.”

Bev eyed him. “As good as you are?”

“Nope. But still very good.”

She didn’t like the idea of a different attorney. She told herself it was because she was used to him, because he had done a good job so far. She knew that wasn’t the whole reason. She wanted to be close to him.

“I’ll stick with you for the time being if you don’t mind? There is enough to deal with without having to bring someone else up to speed on this sorry inheritance.” She lifted the mugs off the coffee table.

“Makes sense. You really shouldn’t need anything more from me about the will. That business is settled. The paperwork was filed this morning. There are still some small items to sign off on, but for all intents and purposes, it’s official. I’ve satisfied Reginald’s final request.”

“But you’ll still help her if she needs it?” her mother asked, and he nodded.

“Ma, I’m a big girl. I don’t need a babysitter.”

“Of course you don’t, but he seems like he could be helpful if you ran into trouble,” Reggie said.

“I’m here if Beverly wants or needs me. That’s my job. But I’ll check in from time to time too. I’ve got a personal interest in this case.” He winked at Reggie. “Don’t worry; she’ll get used to the idea of having me around.”