“That’s right.”
“Did it surprise you that he didn’t have enough money to do so himself?”
“A little, but I didn’t know anything about his finances. My sister made it very clear that it was none of my business since I’d, and these were her words, ‘abandoned them for my fancy life in Boston.’”
“You’re aware that the house you quitclaimed to your sister was mortgaged to the amount of its worth?”
“That I quitclaimed? What does that mean? My grandfather’s house?”
“The form you signed that gave your sister full ownership is called a quitclaim deed,” explained Decker.
What the fuck? “I didn’t sign any form.”
Rile stood and walked over to a bag he’d left on the table near the front door. He pulled out several pieces of paper, rifled through them, and handed one to me.
“That isn’t my signature,” I said, looking over the form I’d never seen before. “It isn’t even close.” I was seething. Sybil forged my signature? I’d gone through all my savings to pay my gr
andfather’s bills, and while that was happening, she was mortgaging his house. That bitch. That selfish, damn bitch.
Decker took the paper. “It was notarized.”
“That may be, but that isn’t my signature. Isn’t it obvious that Sybil got someone to notarize it for her so she could do whatever she damn well pleased?” I stood and snatched the paper from his hand.
“What’s up?” he asked.
“I’ve had it. I know this sounds callous, but I don’t care who killed my sister. In the last few days, I’ve found out that I have no friends, my family has done nothing but lie to me, and the only real thing in my life is my music, and that was taken away from me too. I’m done.”
“What does that mean?” asked Decker, not even trying to hide the hurt in his eyes.
“It means I want to go back to Boston, apply for jobs so I can keep my apartment, and forget about everything in Texas, just like I did nine years ago.” I stormed off, hating that I’d just hurt Decker’s feelings, but I’d known him less than a week. Besides, I’d all but offered him my virginity on a silver platter, and he hadn’t been interested in actually fucking me.
I tossed the clothes I’d planned to wash back in the suitcase, went into the bathroom to gather my toiletries, and shoved them in as well. I closed the bag and wheeled it out of the bedroom.
When I got back out to the kitchen, Decker was there, but I didn’t see Rile.
“Is this really what you want to do?” he asked.
“There was a reason I left all those years ago. I don’t belong here. I never have.”
“I see.”
“I’m sorry, Decker. You’ve done so much for me, and I appreciate it, but it’s time for me to go home. You and your friends know far more about my life than I ever have, so you don’t need me to help you figure out who killed my sister.”
I hung my head when tears filled my eyes and ran down my cheeks. Decker put his arms around me and pulled me against him.
I started to laugh even though nothing I was about to say was funny. “You know what’s crazy? I can’t even afford the plane ticket home. And as far as making arrangements for Sybil’s funeral and burial, I can’t pay for those either. I have one more paycheck coming, and that will have to cover the rent on an apartment I won’t be able to afford after this month unless I can get a job. That’s what I need to do. I need to go home and find a job, but I can’t, can I?”
“If you truly want to go back to Boston, I’ll take care of the cost of the plane ticket.”
“Thanks for the offer, Decker, but I won’t let you do that. I let Adler pay for too many things for too long. I can’t even begin to wrap my head around what the hell was really going on with him. No. There’s only one person who can help me right now, and it’s damn time he started. I’m going to pay my father a visit, only this time, I’m not asking for a meeting, I’m just showing up. And it won’t be after hours either. He’s ashamed of me? Doesn’t want anyone to know he has a kid? Tough shit. He’s got billions; he can give me a couple thousand to tide me over.” Maybe I should ask for more, enough to get out of town, pack up my apartment, and disappear for a while. I’d always wanted to go to Greece.
“It isn’t a good idea to confront your father right now.”
“Why…is he going to kill me?”
“Don’t do this, Mila,” Decker implored. “If you won’t stay, let me take care of your expenses for a while.”
28