them on the table. “What do you want?”
Jennifer’s carefully made-up face smirked. “Aw, is Tommy getting attached?” She leaned forward, anger replacing her smugness. “You’re not here to fall in love, Declan. If you think for a second that I would let my daughter be with a man who has more debt than sense, you’re significantly dumber than I first thought. You’re here to get what I hired you to get. I saw you out at that woman’s place. Did you get the box?” Jennifer lifted her chin and glared at Tommy.
“Of course, I got the box.” Tommy leaned back, fully aware she was running on emotional reaction and not logic or reason. She had been from the beginning even though her hatred and anger made her seem calm and logical.
Now that Tommy could see through her façade, he couldn’t believe how easily he’d been brought in.
No more.
“I have everything. The pass code, the key, the box that matches the silver key, and the journal. I even got the questions answered like you asked.” He unfolded his hands and tapped the table with his forefinger, his tone taking on a harder edge. “I want to know what you’re going to do to this town. They don’t deserve anything but good things to happen to them. I have no idea what you have planned, but I know that much.”
Jennifer sipped her water, watching him as she tried to gather her calm. She inhaled through her nose and then out through her mouth with her lips forming a perfect O.
The sight disgusted Tommy. She probably thought she was attractive in a whole slew of ways.
“You’re right. You have no idea what I’m about or what I’m trying to accomplish. You’re captivated by the beauty of my daughter, Tommy. Mine. Don’t forget that she’s more me than anyone else you’ve met. And whatever happens to this town is up to Amanda. And only Amanda. Taylor had the chance to buy me off, but now, there’s no going back. The deadline is fast approaching and once it hits, there’s not a thing I can do to help Amanda. She needs to be helped. She’s about to lose everything.” Jennifer shook her head, suddenly leaning forward and imploring Tommy with her brown eyes. “She has no idea that all this time she’s felt like an outcast – yes, I know. I used to read her journal. I know she still feels this way. All this time, she’s actually the rightful heir to all of it. Every last cent. Every last acre of both properties.”
“And you’re trying to help her claim all of it? I don’t understand. Why would you help her?” This whole time Tommy had been convinced Jennifer was out to get Amanda, but if the older woman was to be believed, she was working on behalf of Amanda. And if Tommy went against her, he could be hurting Amanda.
“Of course, I’m trying to help her. She’s my daughter.” Jennifer appeared affronted and she leaned back, pressing her fingers to her chest.
“Come on. You don’t leave for years and then come back for altruistic measures. I don’t buy it. Tell me what’s in store for Amanda. I want what’s best for her. I don’t care about you. I’ll walk away from this whole thing, if I don’t like what you have to say.” Tommy wasn’t messing around and it was high time he spoke plainly.
Jennifer must have believed what he said. She laughed and flicked her fingers his direction and shook her head. “I believe you would do that, actually. Here’s the thing. Amanda isn’t the only one to benefit. If either me or Simon are still alive, we get the other half of what has undoubtedly surpassed double or even triple the investment we made years ago before she was even born.”
Her eyes took on a far-off glaze as she continued speaking. “We set up a deposit box at the bank with the paperwork bequeathing everything in our joint account to Amanda. The only way the account can be accessed is with the information in that box. The only way the box can be accessed is by the passcode and the two keys. One you got from her journal and the other… in the box you claim to have gotten from the Wilsons.” So, another key was in the box Elizabeth had given Amanda.
That was information Amanda could use.
“Okay. So, Amanda can access this deposit box? Then why does she need you?” Tommy