Daddy's Gone a Hunting

89

Hannah did not know why she was feeling so uneasy. Justin phoned her at noon on Friday. “How are your father and sister?”

“I saw Kate this morning. She was restless, but they’re moving her to a private room today, so obviously she’s getting better, which is wonderful.”

“Hannah, you still sound worried. How is your father?”

“He called me about an hour ago. I hate to say it, but I think he’s more worried that Kate is going to admit that she and Gus together set the explosion than he is relieved that his daughter, my sister, is going to be all right. With him, it seems it’s always been about the money, and it always will be.”

“When are you going to see Kate again?”

“I always stop by when I’m leaving work.”

After Justin reluctantly said good-bye to her, he debated about sending flowers to Kate, since she would now be in a private room. Then he thought, No, I have a better idea. When she has recovered a little more, I will bring the bromeliad plant to her room. Satisfied, he turned back to the folder on his desk.

It contained documents he had prepared regarding investment strategy for a widow who did not have the faintest idea of how to manage her considerable estate. “I just charged whatever I wanted on my AmEx,” she had told Justin, “and my husband, Bob, paid all the bills.”

Bob made big money, Justin thought, and he spent a lot of money, too, but it was certainly his to spend.

His thoughts turned back to Hannah. From what she tells me, her father has been living beyond his income for a long time. No wonder he’s worried that the insurance claim will be denied. From what she said, the antique furniture in that museum was insured for nearly $20 million. That’s an awful lot of money to let slip through your fingers.