Chapter 22 The Deed

The next day, I'm preparing to confront my dad. I have a mini-camera in my purse that will record the entire thing. I'm going to ask him about killing my mom. I'm going to make him so mad he confesses to me. Then I'm going to run to the Boston FBI bureau. I don't trust anyone in New York. They could all be on my father's side. I made contact there with a detective named Lachlan Cutlass. He's waiting for me to bring him everything I have. My car is packed and loaded. I'm staying in Boston as long as I have to. Lachlan said he'll make sure to protect me until they can issue indictments for my brother and Donnie.

I'm nervous and happy. I'm glad this horrible chapter of my life will finally end, but I'm sad I lost Foster in the process. I feel terrible he left thinking I'd betrayed him and our love.

I check the phone Foster gave me for the zillionth time. I keep charging the battery just in case he calls me. Oh my gosh. This time there's a text.

Unknown: You've been named as a beneficiary in the living trust of the Twist estate. Please message me to schedule a time to meet and discuss.

My chest tightness like the air has been sucked from the room .

With shaking fingers, I reply.

Me: I am available now. Are you near Manhattan?

For five minutes, I sit on my bed with my stomach in my throat. I can't breathe or swallow. All I can do is stare at the screen and pray for a reply.

Finally it buzzes in my hands.

Unknown: Mendel Law Firm 263 Madison Ave, Floor 24

Me: I'm on my way.

My heart takes off like a runner off the blocks. My throat clears and I can breathe again. I have a purpose and I need to race to get there. I hope the traffic in Manhattan isn't too bad. Aww, who am I kidding? I grab my running shoes and throw on my workout clothes. I can run there faster than driving.

My dad isn't home so I don't have to check in with him before I hurry out the door. Running down Madison Avenue feels symbolic. I'm running from my world to get to his.

I get a few looks in the gilded glass elevator, but I don't care. I want to get to that law office and find out what is going on.

I have to force myself to slow down and catch a breath when I reach the receptionist behind her wooden desk with a marble counter. "I'm Milana Bianchi. I'm here to see… I didn't get a name, but they said something about the Twist Estate. "

She smiles and picks up her phone. "Of course. One second. Mr. Mendel, Milana Bianchi is here to see you." She hangs up her phone. "He'll be right out."

A tall man wearing a black suit and tie walks out. He looks young despite his receding hairline. "Milana? Come on back." He smiles and I feel relief. I feel like I can trust him for some reason. My dad always said not to trust any lawyers who weren't family, but I'm listening to my instincts with this guy.

In his office, he asks me to sit in the chair at his desk and he hands me a file folder. He doesn't say anything, just grins at me.

I open it and peer inside.

There's a typed letter to me from The Twist Estate on Mendel Law Firm letterhead. I scan it quickly but it just gives me a phone number to call if I have questions.

Behind the letter is a photocopy of an old legal document.

It's a deed.

Behind the deed is a handwritten note and a hand-drawn map. All of it scratchy and faint, but I can read it. My hands shake and I have to force myself to concentrate on the words.

Mila,

I'm a firm believer in passing on kindness and so I've left you a plot of land in the State Park in California. It meant the world to me as I fell in love with my wife and started our family in the cabin there. Please visit the property as soon as possible. Perhaps it will become an important part of your life as it was in mine. All I ask in return is that you pay it forward to future generations so that they might also feel the love of Pleasure Mountain.

Sincerely,

Henry Twist .

Henry!

"Oh my God."

My heart lurches and my mouth goes dry.

Henry died?

This will break Foster. Henry was all he had.

There's no one in Foster's corner.

Foster needs someone in his corner.

Why would Henry leave the land to me and not to Foster?

It doesn't make any sense.

I look up at the lawyer and he's still smiling.

This whole thing seems fake. It can't be true. "Is this real?"

He nods. "It's real. "

How could this be? Unless… Henry is in Foster's corner. From beyond our world, he's looking out for his son. He knows we're meant to be. He's trying to connect us.

Now I've really gone lulu if I think Henry is trying to play matchmaker from the grave.

The papers crinkle in my hands. It could be a trap. Donnie could have pulled this to mess with me. Shoot. My father could be behind it.

But this lawyer seems totally legit. There's something so honest and genuine about it. There's no hint of tampering. It's clearly an old man's handwriting and words. He called me Mila, knowing that's what Foster called me.

Listen to your heart right now because you know in your soul, I love you . You love me .

Yes. I need to listen to my heart. I don't have anyone in my corner here. I'm alone in that Manhattan mansion with strangers. They aren't my family. The only person who ever saw who I really am was Foster. He was in my corner and I betrayed him.

I need to figure this all out, but something has changed. I'm moving in the right direction now.

"Okay. Thank you. I mean. Thank you. Please, don't tell anyone."

"Of course. "

"Can I have these?"

"Yes."

I quickly push them back into the folder and turn around. "Thank you. Um. Thank you. Bye."