Chapter 2 - The Woman From the Sedan
Robert met Julia properly at Baylor University Medical Center.
His injuries were minor compared with hers.
Julia had a fractured ankle, bruised ribs, and seventeen stitches along her hairline. Her daughter, Ava, had escaped with cuts and a mild concussion.
Robert intended to leave after his hand was dressed.
A nurse stopped him.
“Room 412 asked whether you’re still here.”
Julia was sitting upright when he entered.
Ava was beside her, wearing Ellen’s blue cardigan.
Robert almost lost his breath.
“Mr. Hayes.”
“Robert.”
Julia looked at his bandaged hands.
“They told me what you did.”
“Anybody would’ve done it.”
“No.”
Her voice was firm.
“A lot of people were filming.”
That shut him up.
Ava pointed at his bracelet.
“See?”
Julia lifted her wrist.
She wore the same thin silver band.
Robert managed a tired smile.
“Cancer-center fundraiser?”
“My sister was treated in Houston three years ago.”
“My wife too.”
Something in Julia’s expression softened.
“How is she?”
Robert looked toward the window.
“She died Monday.”
Julia’s hand moved to her mouth.
“Today was the funeral.”
“I’m so sorry.”
Robert nodded because there was no answer that improved the sentence.
Ava climbed carefully from her chair and handed him Ellen’s cardigan.
Robert shook his head.
“Keep it tonight.”
“Are you sure?”
“My wife liked children.”
He could not say more.
Julia asked who was taking him home.
“I’ll get a ride.”
“Family?”
“Busy.”
She heard something in the word.
Reporters were trained to.
But she did not pry.
Before Robert left, Julia gave him her business card.
“Not for a story. If you need anything because of the accident.”
Robert put it in his wallet.
At home, the house smelled wrong.
Not bad.
Empty.
Ellen’s reading glasses remained beside the sofa.
A glass she had used before their final trip to Houston was still upside down in the drying rack because Robert had not been able to put it away.
He sat in the dark for almost an hour.
At 9:18, Michael called.
Robert answered.
“Hey, Dad. Sarah said you landed.”
“I did.”
“You okay?”
Robert looked at his bandaged hands.
“Fine.”
“Good. Listen, when you have a chance, there are some papers at the house I need.”
“What papers?”
“Nothing urgent. Property stuff.”
Robert frowned.
“What property stuff?”
Michael immediately changed tone.
“Forget it. You just got back.”
“Michael.”
“We’ll talk later.”
The call ended.
Robert sat straighter.
Ellen had always handled the household mail during her treatment because she said organizing envelopes gave her something normal to do.
After she entered hospice, Michael offered to convert most bills to electronic delivery.
Robert let him.
There had been too many medications.
Too many appointments.
Too many passwords.
Now, for the first time, Robert wondered exactly which accounts Michael had been managing.
The next morning, Julia’s producer called.
A cellphone video of Robert rescuing Ava had spread online.
They wanted a short interview.
Robert refused.
Then Julia herself called.
“I understand. But there’s something else.”
“What?”
“When my producer checked your background to verify your name, he found a property record.”
Robert waited.
Julia continued carefully.
“Your house has a home-equity lien recorded against it.”
Robert frowned.
“That’s impossible.”
The Plano house had been paid off six years earlier.
“How much?”
Julia hesitated.
“Three hundred and twenty thousand dollars.”
Robert stopped breathing normally.
“That can’t be right.”
“The lien was recorded four months ago.”
Four months ago, Robert had been in Houston almost full-time with Ellen.
Julia said:
“The borrower is listed as Robert and Ellen Hayes.”
Robert looked toward the hallway where Ellen’s cane still leaned against the wall.
“My wife was in chemotherapy four months ago.”
“I know this may be none of my business.”
“No.”
His voice sounded unfamiliar.
“Send me the record.”
Ten minutes later, Robert was staring at his own name beneath a debt he had never known existed.
And beneath it was another line.
The transaction had been completed under a financial power of attorney.
May you like
Agent:
Michael Hayes.
