Thankfully, Albert had seen and smelled the smoke.
Placing the water glass back on the table, I turned away from my parents.
Despite my claims of health, I was keenly aware that I wasn’t one hundred percent back to myself in many ways. It was as if a fog surrounded me and my thoughts. Each thought and each step were exhausting.
The doctors said it would take time and recommended I seek counseling. I knew what I needed. It wasn’t to speak with a counselor but to see Van for myself, to know he was safe—alive.
Would his legal restraints withhold information from me if he had succumbed to the gunshot? Would I learn in a press release that my fiancé was gone?
While I missed him—his presence—I couldn’t believe he was dead. Our connection was still too strong for him to have left this world. Despite my parents’ repeated pleas, I walked away from them and our meal and made my way to the back staircase.
“Miss Julia.”
I stopped as Rosemary came to me and reached for my hands. “What can I get you?”
A tear teetered on my lower lid before making its way down my cheek. The diamond on my left hand glittered from the kitchen lights. “My husband.”
She shook her head. “Go to him.”
“I don’t know where he is.”
“He’s not in Ashland?”
“No,” I said, “he was Lifelined.” Even saying the words caused my chest to hurt. “He’s a private man.” I inhaled, trying to breathe. The smoke obviously had the longest lasting effect on me. That and heartbreak.
“But you’re his fiancée.”
“His medical power of attorney and instructions hadn’t been updated. I’m not listed as a person to receive information.” I shook my head. “Our relationship—everything—was so fast. I’m sure he didn’t think…didn’t expect...”
“Well then, who?”
I closed my eyes, releasing a tear. “I don’t know.” Looking back to Rosemary’s caring expression, I continued, “I’ve spoken to his attorney. Mr. Fields said he knew Van and I were to be married, and he’s trying to find a loophole to Van’s strict privacy clause. That was two days ago.”
“Does Mr. Sherman have family—other than his brother?”
“Yes, parents, a sister, and a niece. I know his sister’s name is Olivia, but I don’t know her last name or how to contact her. I’ve been shut out by the very system Van had in place to keep everyone else out.”
“You should rest.”
Smiling, I took in the lines on Rosemary’s cheeks and hands. “I need to go back to Ashland. That’s where I belong. Not here.”
“Child, it’s too late tonight.”
“You’re right. I’ll wait until first thing in the morning.”
Entering my bedroom, I pulled my phone from the pocket of my leggings.
No calls.
Two text messages.
I hadn’t felt the phone vibrate.
Although the prefix was local, neither the phone nor I recognized the number. Then again, this was the new phone—the one Connie had gotten in Ashland. My old phone filled with numbers was still MIA, same as the man who took it.
I read the first text message.
“I know I’m not the one you want to hear from. Ana gave me this number. We’d like to help. We might have some information.”