Curiosity Is the Key

By LeeAnn Jeanne

An interior designer, an architect, and an artist are on their way into the city to meet with a prestigious lawyer. They are curious and nervous about why they were summoned to discuss a recently deceased billionaire.

These three women find true love and each other while solving a decades-old mystery and unveiling a centuries-old treasure.

This meeting will change their lives forever.

The authors grew up in a suburban setting outside San Francisco. Sisters and mothers, they came together again to fulfill their lifelong dream of writing a novel.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu Publishing Services
• Release date: Jan 25, 2017
• ISBN: 9781483463926

Book preview

31

Prologue

Chateau d’ Balliet

July-Aug 1918

T he 14 th century Chateau d’ Balliet, located north of Champigneul-Champagne and south of the Marne River in northern France, had survived its share of occupation. The Americans joined their allies at the Battle of Soissons and the Second Battle of Marne. WWI in France raged to the north and northwest of the chateau. They successfully pushed the Germans back to the north side of the Marne River. After the Germans made their hasty retreat, the American troops arrived at the chateau and the colonel and his staff took their turn occupying it.

In the parlor he’d been assigned as an office, the army supply captain put the last of the German papers into the valise with his change of uniform and locked it with a key. Turning to his sergeant he asked if everything was on the truck.

Everything but your valise, sir.

The captain bent down, picked up his case and handed it to the sergeant, Okay, Sarge, take it to the truck… I’ll be right out. The sergeant left and quietly shut the door behind him.

The captain hurried to the door and locked it. Going to the old fireplace, he turned a stone fleur-de-lis. A compartment to the right opened and he reached in and pulled out a packet that he concealed in his briefcase. He shut the hidden compartment, unlocked the door and left. Knocking on a door down the hall, he was told to come in. He stood in front of his colonel’s desk, saluted and told him that all was ready and he would be leaving within a few minutes.

Very well, Captain, you’re to take the truck and the papers to headquarters in Paris. You have the map and directions.

Yes, Sir. Everything is in order. My men are already on the truck. All should go smoothly. We’ll be back in less than a week.

Yes, then off with you. The latest intelligence says the bulk of the Germans have been pushed to the north side of the Marne so the roads should be clear. There are always snipers out there, so do be careful.

Yes, Sir. The captain saluted, left the chateau and climbed into the waiting truck. Let’s get going, Sarge. Paris and its pleasures await!

With a delighted grin, the sergeant put the truck in gear. They left through the chateau’s gate and headed southwest toward Paris. Three hours into the drive, the captain called for a rest stop, Keep us covered, Sarge.

The captain climbed down out of the cab. Oh, did he need to stretch his legs. These rutted roads in a truck had taken its toll. As he walked toward the back where the machine gun was, he glimpsed movement out of the corner of his eye. Before he could get to his gun, a shot rang out. Not realizing that he’d been hit, he scrambled under the truck for cover. Finally getting his gun in his hand he aimed at the sniper, but before he could return fire he heard the machine gun and saw a body fall from a tree twenty yards into the woods. All of a sudden the pain in his leg registered and he gasped, God damn it! Then he yelled, Sergeant! I’ve been hit! He’d never experienced anything like a bullet wound before. Sucker hurt like hell! His sergeant came running while calling for the medic bag. He was bleeding like a pig, but his sergeant put a tight bandage around his thigh, and they once again headed south. All in all, a miserable trip to Paris.

Several days later as he was leaving the hospital, his nurse said, You need to change that dressing in a couple of days. Someone should look at it after you’re on board. Good luck to you, Captain. I hope your trip home is more pleasant than your trip to Paris. Blow the ‘old girl’ a kiss from me when you get to New York.

Thanks, I will. With that he walked out of the hospital with the aid of his crutches and into a waiting staff car.

The plane is waiting for you at the air strip outside of town, the driver informed him.

Private, are my valise, trunk and briefcase in the car? he asked before they left. At the affirmative nod, he continued, Then let’s get going, I’ve got a long journey ahead of me, and the sooner we leave the sooner I’ll get there…

Days later, a very tired captain boarded the hospital ship headed to New York. He was one of the lucky walking wounded. Finding himself alone in his quarters he closed and locked the door. He went immediately to his briefcase and opened it. He took out the contents and found the packet at the bottom was still right where he’d put it back at the chateau. As he began to grin, he murmured, I’m one lucky bastard.

Chapter 1

O n a rain-soaked April morning, three women left Branchwood for The City. They were all headed to the same lawyer’s office in the Transamerica Building in downtown San Francisco.

A long sleek limo driven by a dark eyed black haired Irishman crossed the Golden Gate Bridge. I’m sorry to drag you out on a day like today, Brian. Maybe I should have driven myself to the ferry and then taken a taxi into downtown, said the stunning young woman sitting beside him in the limo.

Mackenzi Chase, you know it’s no bother for me to drive you. Besides, it gets me out of the house while her-self is in the cleaning frenzy, he replied. Mackenzi smiled at the brogue still evident in Brian’s voice even after all these years.

Just the same, I really appreciate you doing this. I just wish I knew why Mr. Slocum wanted to see me today. Why couldn’t he just tell me on the phone? Do you think there’s something wrong with Dad’s estate?

I’m sorry, I really don’t know, Brian told her. Looking at the young woman that he and his Molly had essentially raised along with their boys, he saw a black-haired ivory-skinned beauty. She was one of those women that had no idea how beautiful she was. She didn’t try to stand out. She was usually dressed in slacks and sweater with a scarf; but she could turn heads anywhere. Mackenzi, you’ll be finding out in just a little while. So sit back and relax.

Oh, alright, you’re right; I’ll just have to wait until we get there. Sitting back and staring out the window at the lashing spring rainstorm, Mackenzi began thinking about her dad and growing up at Chase Hill.

Mackenzi’s thoughts turned to what her childhood had been like growing up in that huge old mansion. She was an only child with a vivid imagination. She would find a small place in that big house and play make-believe. She had no memory of her mother, who went away when she was a baby. No one ever spoke of her. It had been years and years since she’d asked anyone about her. The one time she’d asked her dad was too painful to remember. His anger was so scary she never asked him again. Over time she’d pushed thoughts of her mother to the back of her mind. It was too hard thinking about the mother she’d never known. There were no pictures of her in the house; at least not one she’d ever seen. Did she have her mother’s eyes, her hair or her laugh? Her mother remained an unknown.

Still, there was always her precious Molly, Brian’s wife. Mackenzi smiled as she remembered running to her with the frequent scrapes and bruises of childhood and the angst of being a teen. Molly had hugs and kisses aplenty. They’d make any hurt better. Molly would croon Irish lullabies while rocking Mackenzi and that always made her feel safe and loved. She still wasn’t sure which she loved more, the songs or being held and rocked. She wished that her dad had given her cuddles sometimes, but he was always too busy or gone on business trips… and besides, it wasn’t his way. He was a formal man, never calling her by a pet name, always Mackenzi. Even though he’d only died four weeks ago, remembering him as a person didn’t come easy to her. Living in the same small town you’d think they would have seen each other regularly, but in fact, weeks went by without any contact at all. Her memory of her father brought to mind a bank vault… strong, solid, cold steel.

Molly, Brian and their three sons lived in the guesthouse. For as far back as she could remember, the boys had always been there as playmates. As an infant and preschooler, she had nannies to care for her, but after starting school, her dad and Molly were her caregivers… mostly Molly. While at the local Catholic elementary school, she had many friends who would come to Chase Hill for sleepovers, birthday parties and play dates. Molly always stayed with her in the main house for the sleepovers. Her dad was home for some of them, but she couldn’t remember, even once, when he’d come to her side of the house to say hello to her friends. It was Molly who took care of them, told them to quiet down and go to sleep. She woke them in the morning and fed them a special breakfast of silver dollar pancakes. When her dad was gone on trips, either Molly or Erin, a friend of Molly’s from Ireland, would stay in the mansion with her. There were many times when Molly would take Mackenzi home with her and she’d sleep in Sean’s room…he got the couch.

After she went away to boarding school, at the beginning of seventh grade, staying at the Keneally’s was only on weekends when her dad was out of town. Sometimes her dad would take her with him on his business trips. Each time was somewhere new. There was always stuff for her to see and do, but almost always it was with a nanny or a companion he’d hired for the trip. He usually worked while they were there, and went out in the evenings with business associates.

Brian turned to her and said, Mackenzi love, wake up! We’re here.

Startled, she sat up straight and said, I’m not asleep, just lost in thought. Mackenzie looked around and saw the Transamerica Building out her window. How…? she began, Oh! I really was in another world, or, at least another decade! Brian, are we late?

No, we’re right on time. I’ll drop you here, and then park the car in the underground lot. You call me on my cell when you’re ready to go home. Now, stop worrying and go see what Mr. Slocum wants. With that, she climbed out of the limo, opened the umbrella and ran for the lobby of the building. Once she was inside, she went to the reception desk where Thomas was waiting for her.

The second woman drove her 2000 Audi S4 across the Golden Gate. Emma Moore loved her car. It was the first thing she bought when she began making good money. There’s an advantage to being on your own; she could go into debt if she wanted. The rain pelted against the windows, yet she felt safe and secure in Audrey with her six speed manual transmission. Yes, she had named her Audrey, and together they faced the world.

Today was no exception. She’d received a registered letter a week ago requesting her presence at a meeting regarding the estate of Joseph Chase III. She wondered if maybe money was involved. But why me? Maybe he was someone her parents had known. Anyway she looked at it, money was always welcomed.

She had been orphaned when she was very young. Not that she would complain, but growing up without a mother and father had been hard. There were special school days: Dads and Donuts, Moms and Muffins, field trips, and volunteering, where parents were everywhere. Grams, who raised her, showed up as father, mother and even grandparent whenever one was expected, but it was never the same. Holidays were always just the two of them. Even Grams had no one left but Emma. Grams’s parents emigrated from Ireland in the twenties and settled in a row house on 16th Ave., across from Golden Gate Park. She’d lived there ever since; first with her parents and then briefly with her husband, Edward Hanrahan. He was KIA in WWII.

Emma’s mother, Kathleen, went to Berkeley and earned a degree in Art History. She traveled through Europe every summer, visiting museums and learning her craft. Just after Emma was born, Kate settled into her first job at the De Young Museum. Emma’s father, an MIA in Viet Nam, was a boy her mother met in college. They never married. He never returned. Kate kept her maiden name, Hanrahan, but she gave Emma her father’s name, Moore. When Emma was five years old her mother died of pneumonia. Emma continued to live with Grams. They’d been a family of two ever since.

She thought this Chase guy might have been an old flame of Grams, but when she ‘Googled’ him he’d died at age 65; this was a little too young… even for Grams. The only clue was that he was, coincidently, from Branchwood. As she pulled into the underground parking garage she thought she would just have to wait and see. After locking the car, she whispered, Wish me luck, Audrey. Emma walked toward the elevators and pushed the up button.

The third woman, Jackie Rhoades, looked in the mirror and liked what she saw; but the outfit was wrong. Off went the cashmere sweater and jeans and on went the power suit. The burnt sienna suit blended well with her ginger curls. So many colors clashed with her hair; it was nice to find a suit that worked. For her age, she was pleased to still be able to knock ‘em dead in her size 6 suit and her four inch Jimmy Choos. She looked outside and thought the pouring down rain required some protection and grabbed her Burberry raincoat. She took one last look in the mirror, adjusted her Hermes scarf and headed for her garage.

As Jackie drove her Escalade down the driveway, her cell rang. The readout said Max. She stopped the car and answered, Hi, Max, what’s up?

Hi, can you hold on a second? I need to answer my other line.

Suddenly she heard soft elevator music in her ear and Max was gone. Her first thought was he’s done it again! He never considers that I might not be able to wait for him… Memories of their marriage came rushing back while she waited. She still cared for her children’s father, and he was a great father to them, but their marriage never worked. Max wanted an old fashioned wife, one who would give him a passel of kids, stay home to raise them and then be the dutiful wife to her husband at the drop of a hat! That was not who Jackie was… She wanted children, but not a full baseball team! She wanted a career in interior design and a husband who supported her choices! Their marriage was a constant struggle of wills, not the kind of atmosphere to raise the two children they already had. Divorce was the only answer, and once they agreed, their focus became the children, not each other.

Jackie, are you still there? Max’s voice interrupted her thoughts and brought her back to reality.

Yes, I’m here; still sitting in the car, in the drive way, waiting for you to find time for the phone call you initiated! Jackie’s voice had a definite edge to it.

Good, said Max, completely oblivious to Jackie’s sarcasm, I’m calling about the letter from Slocum. I just got off the phone with him. He seemed surprised that I knew about your meeting today. I had to explain our relationship to him, and that you wanted me to find out why he asked you to come to his office. After a lengthy conversation about the longevity of the Supreme Court Justices, he told me the meeting is confidential, but it is in your best interest to attend. I don’t know what that means, but it should be a fun meeting.

Well, if his estate lawyers think they are going to purchase my business, they have another think coming… and you’re right, that meeting would be fun.

Settle down, go to the meeting, and call me when you’re done, answered Max.

Thanks for making the call, Max. I really appreciate it. I knew you would know who these lawyers are… you know everyone in the legal field in San Francisco. Speaking of legal field, have you heard from our son? I haven’t talked to him since we talked about Nana’s birthday party. I did tell you that we’re having a party for Nana on the thirtieth, didn’t I?

Yes, Margaret has it on my calendar. I was looking at it this morning. I haven’t heard from Nathan either. Do you suppose he’s busy with a new woman? said Max chuckling.

"If he is, he’s not talking about it. Thanks again for making the call. I’ve got to get going or I’m going to be late for the fun meeting. I’ll talk to you soon," said Jackie and quickly hung up the phone before Max could ask any more questions. She just didn’t have time to chat…

As she drove into the city, she again thought about her business. While she raised two wonderful children, Nathan and Savannah, she built her design studio up from a small home business into one of the most successful studios in the Marin County area. She had talented and loyal employees who all worked together like the proverbial well-oiled machine! She couldn’t imagine giving it all up.

Of course, she knew who Joseph Chase was; but she’d never done a job for him. There was an article in the local Branchwood Tribune when he died a few weeks ago. At least three generations had lived at Chase Hill, since the early 1900’s. Their wealth came from a number of diverse corporations that were all VERY successful. And none of it had anything to do with her.

As she made the turn into Transamerica’s parking garage, she hoped the meeting would be short so she could get back to her studio. The Johnsons were coming at two to pick out samples for their new living room. She knew Julie could handle them, but she hated to lose the chance to give her input before final decisions were made. She got out of the car, walked to the elevators and joined a young woman with unruly black hair wearing a salmon jumpsuit and last season’s Stuart Weitzman stilettos. When the doors opened, they entered together and pushed the lobby button.

In the lobby, Mackenzi turned to the firm’s associate. Hello, Thomas. Nice to see you again. Are we ready to go up?

Hello, Miss Chase. No, I’m waiting for a couple of ladies who should be here in a few minutes. They’re coming up from the parking garage. Do you mind waiting a moment? he asked her.

Not at all. It’ll give me time to get myself together after that mad dash in the rain, she said, and took the small towel he held out to her to dry off. Looking up again, Mackenzi saw two striking women get off the parking garage elevator.

Thomas welcomed them and said, We’ll take the express elevator to Mr. Slocum’s offices. Come this way if you will.

Mackenzi entered the elevator last, thinking, boy, what I would give to look like those two. I look like a country bumpkin, in my 3 year old navy suit and flats. I wonder who they are, and why they need a lawyer. Thinking about lawyers made her return to her earlier worry as to why Mr. Slocum wanted to see her here, in The City. With a quiet sigh, she resigned herself to waiting.

The receptionist looked up from her desk to see three striking women enter the room. Getting up and coming over to them she said, Thank you, Thomas, I can take them from here. Turning to the three women, she said, Welcome to Mr. Slocum’s office. My name is Janice. He will be right with you. You may wait here, she gestured toward the chairs grouped around a warm and inviting fireplace. May I get you something hot to drink? These spring storms can be chilling.

Almost as if they’d practiced, the three answered as one, No, thank you. As Janice returned to her desk, the three exchanged glances, and then watched as an elderly gentleman crossed the room toward them.

Sorry for the wait. I’m Jacob Slocum. He turned to Mackenzie and wrapped his arms around her as he said, Good to see you again, my dear. We are all sorry for your loss. Your dad was a great man and a great friend. With a last hug and kiss to her forehead, Mr. Slocum let her go.

Turning to the tall red headed woman, he said, You must be Jacquelyn Rhoades. I’m pleased to meet you after all these years. Welcome.

Pleased to meet you, too, Mr. Slocum. You have me at a disadvantage, however, I’ve never heard of you, she said.

With a smile and a small chuckle he turned to greet a black haired, brown-eyed woman and said, And, of course, you must be Emma Moore. I’m pleased to meet you, too. Welcome to you all. Now, if you’ll follow me to my office, we’ll get started.

The extremely curious threesome sat down at an oval mahogany conference table set before floor to ceiling corner windows in a magnificent office. There was a panoramic view of the storm. Rain clouds stretched from the Golden Gate all the way above Alcatraz to the Ferry Building. The view was lost to them, however, as they were all looking straight at Slocum, puzzled expressions clearly on their faces.

Before we get to the heart of this visit, let me introduce Jennifer, who will be taking notes and assisting me. He continued, So, I imagine you’ve been asking yourselves, ‘Why am I here?’ To answer that I must tell you that you have been brought together by Joseph Taylor Chase III for the reading of his will.

But… Why… Who? all three began to ask …

Putting up a hand to stop the outburst, Jacob continued, I think this video, made by Joseph, will answer almost all your questions. So, if you’ll watch this first, I’ll answer as many remaining questions as I can when it’s finished.

Jennifer pressed a button on the remote and the three women watched as a distinguished looking older man came onto the screen. Jackie thought he looked like a very successful man, comfortable in his own skin. Emma looked at him, and thought, he’s hot! A tear escaped from the corner of Mackenzi’s eye as she watched her dad speak directly to her.

Mackenzi, I know you have always believed you were my only child, and in many ways you were. I raised you and watched you become the incredible woman you are. Your mother was my only wife, but she was not my only love, and you’re not my only daughter.

An astonished Mackenzi jumped up and cried out, What?

Jennifer paused the recording as Jacob rose and walked around to Mackenzie. He stood beside her, put his arm around her, and asked, Do you need a minute?

I don’t understand. What’s going on? a confused Mackenzi asked.

We need a whole lot more than a minute! What the hell is going on? Is he saying he’s my father? demanded Emma, while thinking, holy crap… and I thought he was hot!

Hold on a minute… Jackie began.

Slocum interrupted, It will all be clear when you finish the video. Please, let’s all sit back down. Jennifer…

She restarted the tape and Joseph Chase continued,

"First of all, let me tell all of you that I have loved you in my own way. Even though circumstances didn’t allow me to be with you as much as I should have been; I have, and will continue to see after your wellbeing. Jacob will discuss the particulars with you later.

Jacquelyn, I met your mother, Susan, when we were seventeen. She was my first love. When I looked in her eyes I saw my future. I want you to know that you were the result of a deep love. The circumstances that kept us apart are details for you alone. Jacob will give you a packet after the meeting. For now, know that I always loved you and your mother.

Emma, dear Emma, you are so like your mother. You have her fire, her honesty and her intelligence. Kate and I found each other our freshman year at Berkeley. We were best friends. And as such, we explored the world each summer and went to classes each fall. As we parted after graduation we were still the best of friends. During the summer following graduation Kate discovered she was pregnant. You will receive the details of this time from Jacob. Know that you were the result of the love and respect I had for her.

Mackenzi, I know that I’ve shocked and perhaps disappointed you. I want you to know that you have given my life its deepest joy. It has been a gift to watch you grow. If it weren’t for you… well, let’s just say you made life worth living every single day. I’m sure these revelations have you confused, hurt and angry. I want to stress as strongly as I can, that no matter what happened in my life before you were born, from that first day you were the daughter closest to my heart. If I didn’t tell you often enough, let me say it to you now; I love you, and I am and always was very proud of you.

Now, daughters, I have arranged a monetary gift for each of you. Jacob will give you the numbers after this video is over. I have left my entire estate, including Chase Hill, to all of you to share equally. There are some personal and charitable bequeaths and Molly and Brian have been provided for. They will continue to have their home and be the caretakers of the mansion and it’s grounds, as long as they live or wish to live at Chase Hill.

I have spent years getting you all together in Branchwood. I’ve sent business to Jacquelyn, by recommending her to friends and business associates. I made endowments to the city of Branchwood for revitalizing its downtown. I backed the opening of the new branch office in town for Dollard and Sterns. And before all of you renounce me and my manipulations, let me say that getting you three to Branchwood was due to my interfering, but I want you to know that your individual successes are yours alone. You earned your successes through your own hard work and your own talents. No one, not even me, could make you successful in your careers.

So, now that all of you are finally here in the same town, my only stipulation to your inheritance is that before my last will and testament is set in motion, the three of you are to spend a week living together at Chase Hill. This must happen within the next month. It is my hope that you will benefit from your stay. Finally, always be open to new ideas: Curiosity is the key."

Then the screen went black.

Jennifer left the room and Slocum said, By now, Janet has already deposited your monetary gift into your checking account. If you choose not to pursue the week at Chase Hill, the money is yours to keep. Your envelope has the amount of your gift and your personal letter from Joe; take it home and read it at your leisure. If you have any questions for me, I’m always available to you. I’ll leave you alone to work out the details of your visit to Chase Hill. With that, he left the quiet room.

Holy Shit… Emma said quietly.

Followed closely by a frustrated Jackie exclaiming, No kidding! All these years… the lies… wait until I see my mother!

You have a mother? She must know the truth about what happened! A surprised Emma said to Jackie. I don’t know about you, but I had a father. What about him? And I don’t have a mother to ask!

Maybe the answers are in these envelopes. Personally, I’m going to read mine alone when I get home, said Jackie.

Okay, sounds good to me. But, are we going to let this jerk continue to manipulate us into a week at the manse? Do we really care about a ‘monetary gift’? Emma said, using the fingers-in-the-air quotes.

All of a sudden Mackenzi came to life. The anger written on her face surprised them as she said, Who the hell do you think you are calling my dad a jerk? What did he ever do to you? I’m just as confused as you are, but I loved the man you’re bashing. If you don’t want his gift to you, then leave here now and don’t ever come to my home! Mackenzi stared at Emma as tears began to roll down her cheeks.

Who am I? WHO AM I? Apparently, I’m his daughter, too! Emma answered with her own tears as she walked toward the door, I’m outta here!

Wait, you can’t leave, Jackie said calmly. We have to at least try to process what this man is asking of us. Won’t you please sit back down for a few minutes? Let’s see if we can make some sense of all this. Softly, Jackie added another, Please. It felt strange, but for some reason it was important to her that Emma come back. She wanted to work out what they were going to do next. They couldn’t just leave without coming to a conclusion about whether or not they would follow his demand. She couldn’t believe it, but she needed to know who this man was, what was important to him and why he didn’t tell them earlier that they were related. She needed these women to accomplish that…

Reluctantly, Emma crossed the room and sat down next to Mackenzi, and said, I’m sorry. You have to know, I have a big mouth. I’m sorry I forgot he was real to you. To me, he’s just a face on a TV monitor.

With a deep sigh, Mackenzi admitted, I’m sorry, too. I’m so confused right now that I’m not even sure what I said. This doesn’t make any sense.

So, what do you think your dad really wants from us? Why wait until he’s dead to recognize us? asked Jackie.

He obviously gets nothing from putting us together. He must just want us to know about each other, said Mackenzi.

The question is: do we want this? asked Jackie. I know I do.

I want to do this, too. You both are welcome to come to my house… uh, I guess that’s our house now… any time we can schedule it, said Mackenzi.

I think I made a really bad first impression. I’d like the opportunity to show you the real me. I’m in! said Emma

The only thing we can do right now is decide when we want to pursue this. Jackie pulled out her iPad and checked her calendar. This is Wednesday, April 6th. If we’re going to follow instructions, we should try to get together as soon as we can. I don’t know about your schedules, but I have my own business, and leaving at the drop of a hat isn’t an option. If we do this, I’ll have to continue to go to the studio every day. Maybe starting on the weekend would be a good idea so we can spend more time together.

I’m an architect. My project is on Main Street, and I mostly work out of my apartment. Anytime would be okay with me. I just need to tell Grams I won’t be there for a week. Otherwise I’m yours, said Emma.

Well, as my dad said in the video, I work at Dollards and Sterns Graphic Design downtown. I live in town, not at Chase Hill. I was raised there, but after college, I moved into my own place. So… what week do you want to do this?

There’s no way I can manage this weekend. I can clear my calendar the following weekend, said Jackie. The others quickly agreed and they had a date to meet the next Friday night, at seven, at Chase Hill.

Chapter 2

B rian dropped Mackenzi off with the message from Molly that she expected her for church and dinner on Sunday. She slowly climbed up her front steps, and sighing, drug herself into her condo. She stooped to pick up the mail and carried it into the kitchen. With another big sigh, she decided a nice cup of tea was in order. After she put the kettle on, she scanned her mail. There was nothing worth opening, so she put it back down and got a mug and tea bag out of the cupboard… another deep sigh escaped her.

I have to stop sighing she admonished herself. You’d think my whole world had just come to an end instead of merely wobbling on its axis… or maybe it did come to an end, thought Mackenzi, as she laughed out loud. It might not be the end of the world, but things have certainly changed. Not quite knowing what to do with herself for the rest of the evening, she decided to take her tea into the bathroom and take a nice long hot bath.

While relaxing in the tub she forced herself to think about the startling discovery of two sisters, albeit half sisters. As she remembered her first sight of the two at Mr. Slocum’s office, she again thought they were women she would like to be like. Still thinking about her first impression, she realized that she was like them… they were related! Jackie was so sophisticated and sure of herself; I want to be sure of myself, too. Is it possible that I could be just like her? And Emma, she was quirky, somewhat brash, and full of life! Could I be a little like her, too?

Why… kept running around inside her head. The unanswerable questions were almost dizzying. Why keep them a secret all these years? Why wait until after his death? Why so many secrets? Why did Dad want them to stay a week together at Chase Hill? Why live his life as a stranger to two daughters? Why was her whole life a lie? Why, Why, Why… Stop it! she yelled out loud.

After her bath, Mackenzi went into her kitchen for another cup of tea and saw the envelope Mr. Slocum had given her lying on the counter. She stared at the brown rectangle hoping it would disappear. After making her second cup of tea, she carried it and the envelope into her office and sat down at her desk. This isn’t going to open itself, she thought. Trying not to sigh again, she dumped the contents onto her desk. Sheets of paper stapled together and a picture slid out. Turning the picture right side up, she stared at a woman who looked to be in her forties or fifties. She had blond streaked hair and brown eyes. She’s quite pretty thought Mackenzi. I wonder who she is. She turned the picture over and read a label stuck to the back:

Subject: Olivia Isabella Warren (Chase), age 58.

Found in Paris, France, owner of La Petite Antiques.

Mackenzi sat up straight in her chair. What on earth…? Where did…? How…? A whole other set of questions jumbled together in her mind before one thought came through loud and clear; this is my mother! Flipping the picture over again, she examined every inch of the woman. I want to see this more clearly, she thought. She leaned over to her scanner and scanned the picture into her computer. After adjusting the photo to gain clarity, she thought, if this is indeed my mother, I don’t resemble her at all! She’s nothing like the image I’ve carried in my head all these years. My image was of a soft, maternal woman; a woman who was someone with laughter in her eyes. Someone who would love me… The woman in the picture looked hard as stone!

Still trying to get her jumbled thoughts under control, she looked again at the papers stapled together. The page on top was a letter from her dad, and the rest looked like a report about her mother. She read the letter from her dad first.

Dearest Mackenzi:

I know that today has been confusing for you, and that you are probably exhausted by all you have learned. But there is still more you need to know. I have never discussed your mother with you. Whether I was right or wrong in keeping you completely in the dark about her, I feel that now you need to know some things.

Yes, your mother is alive. We are divorced. Jacob has the papers in his office. I divorced her when you were three years old and was awarded total custody of you. I paid Olivia handsomely at the time, with the stipulation that she never return to Branchwood. She was more than happy to sign that agreement.

To be fair, I was never in love with your mother, and after a few years that began to take its toll on our marriage. I was never cruel or unfaithful to Olivia, but I never loved her, and paid scant attention to her needs. Our marriage was arranged by my family. Olivia was young and alone in the world, but she was from the right kind of family. My parents were tired of my philandering and decided the right kind of girl would settle me down. Making this long story short, Mackenzi, you were born and afterwards your mother had many affairs. Eventually she ran off with a man who apparently gave her the love she needed. As soon as the papers were signed for the final decree, and I had complete custody of you, she left San Francisco. I never sought her out, wondered where she was or what had happened to her.

My inability to talk to you about her stemmed from what she did and my guilt in