MemoriesErasedTreachery by Charlie Richards Read Free Book Online Page A

giving me time to work out my next…wait. As a family member, I can claim Nicole's property, get the will, and the family never has to know.
    Failing that, babies die, the kid is expendable. It's all her fault. If she hadn't been born, Carolyn wouldn't have been there. The little brat ruined everything.
    * * * *
    "Let us out at the main entrance, Martin," Gemma said to her driver when the hospital came into view. "Take a break. I'll call you when we're ready to leave."
    "Yes, ma'am." Martin pulled up in front of the hospital, double-parked, then jumped out and came around to the rear passenger door and helped Gemma from the car.
    Ewyn climbed from the backseat and hurried to assist his aunt. Miss Halloran followed, but when they reached the reception area, he stopped her. "You can take a break, too. We'll page you if there's a problem. Otherwise, we'll meet you back here when we're done."
    "Not a problem, Mister Kelley."
    Ewyn smiled down at his aunt and said, "Let's go meet our baby-girl."
    * * * *
    The phone rang several times. Then, "How did it go?"
    "Got pictures of her in the nursery, and shots of the family as they left the hospital."
    "Good. Enlarge the ones of the baby."
    "Not a problem, but something is up."
    "What do you mean?"
    "A Detective Sergeant is handling the accident."
    "Could be the Calderone name."
    "Maybe. I'm going to see what I can find out before I head back."
    "Stay off the radar."
    The connection went dead.

    Chapter 4
    A procession of vehicles followed two hearses from Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church to the Calderone burial plot. Family and friends came from all over to bid farewell to Nicole and Carolyn.
    Afterward, Gemma and Ewyn returned to the estate and met with the family attorney, who laid out the details of Nicole's will. It was only a formality since nothing had changed, which surprised Ewyn to discover Cecilia was still included as a beneficiary. However, since Nicole's child had survived, she became the sole beneficiary of both Nicole and Carolyn's estates with Ewyn as executor. Cecilia eliminated.
    One week old and Kiera was an heiress.
    * * * *
    Ewyn pulled up outside the Silver Fox and turned off the ignition. Before he could get out of his car, Mick came around the corner, climbed into the passenger seat and buckled up.
     "Are you sure you want to do this today?"
    "Yeah. Patterson contacted the family attorney asking him to intercede and have me call the Detective. Said it was important." Ewyn sighed. "Hell. Before we buried the girls, I didn't have the patience to deal with him. Then, between getting Kiera settled, making sure the trauma of the girls' deaths didn't adversely affect Gemma's health, there didn't seem to be enough time in the day. Besides, where Patterson is concerned, my social etiquette skills run on empty."
    "With reason."
    "Yeah…well, I've left the man hanging long enough. I'm ready for answers. I want to understand why and how the accident happened. I need closure, Mick." Ewyn started the car. "So yeah, whatever Patterson's problem is, I'm up to the challenge. Let the games begin."
    "I hear you."
    Ewyn glanced at Mick. "By the way, were you paying attention to the mourners at the funeral?"
    "Not really. My focus was on Gemma. Why?"
    "With everything coming at me so hard and fast, I thought I must have imagined it, so I put it out of my mind until now," Ewyn replied. "I know it's going to sound crazy, but I thought I saw Greg in the crowd."
    "No! Why wouldn't he have come forward-- shit . What am I thinking?" Mick shook his head. "A hell of a situation, having to attend your children's funeral incognito."
    "I don't understand."
    "He has to make a clean break, Ewyn. If he had shown himself, it would have changed nothing." Mick stared out the window for a few minutes. "At least, he was there."
    "I guess. But what about Gem? She could have used his support."
    "Gemma is a Calderone who grew up in the business. She knows how it works," Mick remarked. "Besides, Greg