The Red Suitcase Before Christmas

Chapter 08 - The Consultant in the Gray Coat

Marlene Givens arrived at the Harbor Light Inn at noon wearing a gray coat, black gloves, and the expression of a woman who had practiced concern in expensive mirrors.

June spotted her before Margaret did.

“Lawyer?” Margaret asked from the dining room window.

“Vulture,” June said.

Marlene stepped out of a black sedan and looked up at the inn as though evaluating resale potential. She carried a leather folder against her chest. Her hair was smooth. Her boots were spotless despite the salt crust on the sidewalk.

Sam, who had been fixing a loose hinge near the lobby door, went still.

Margaret felt her body remember old habits. Offer coffee. Apologize for inconvenience. Make the stranger comfortable even if the stranger had come to take something.

Then she thought of Henry’s letter.

Do not let guilt sign your name.

She walked into the lobby before Marlene could ring the bell.

“Mrs. Whitaker,” Marlene said warmly. “I’m so relieved to find you safe.”

Margaret stopped three feet away. “Relief usually calls first.”

Marlene’s smile dipped, then recovered. “Your daughter is very worried.”

“My daughter has my phone number.”

“She also has eight children in emotional distress.”

Margaret felt that one. Marlene intended her to. It was a practiced throw, aimed at the softest place in the ribs.

June came to stand behind the desk. Sam remained by the door.

“My grandchildren are safe with their parents,” Margaret said. “If you have business with me, you may contact my attorney.”

“I’m afraid this is more personal than legal.” Marlene lowered her voice. “Families panic when elders make sudden decisions under emotional strain.”

Elders.

There was a tone people used with that word. A padded tone. A voice that put slippers on your feet while stealing the floor beneath you.

Margaret smiled.

It was not warm.

“I drove myself three hours, checked into a hotel, called an attorney, froze my accounts, spoke to my granddaughter, ate breakfast, and still remembered the name of the woman trying to patronize me. My mind is doing fine.”

June made a small sound behind the desk that might have been a cough.

Marlene’s eyes sharpened. “I don’t want this to become unpleasant.”

“It became unpleasant when my signature appeared where I had not put it.”

“I can explain the paperwork.”

“Then explain it to Naomi Bell.”

Marlene’s smile vanished fully now. “Mrs. Whitaker, your daughter is overwhelmed. A loving mother would consider the entire family’s stability.”

There it was again. Loving mother. The old leash.

Margaret looked at Marlene’s leather folder. “How much were you going to charge my daughter to stabilize me?”

Marlene blinked.

“How much,” Margaret repeated, “for the assessment, the property review, the referrals, the transition plan, and whatever commission comes if my house becomes liquid?”

Sam looked at the floor, but his mouth tightened.

Marlene’s voice went cold. “You’ve been coached.”

“No,” Margaret said. “I’ve been awake.”

A camera clicked.

Everyone turned.

The retired librarian from dinner stood near the staircase holding a little point-and-shoot camera. “Sorry,” she said, not sounding sorry. “Habit. I document birds. And bullies.”

Marlene’s face hardened. “You cannot photograph me without consent.”

June leaned on the desk. “In my lobby, after you walked in threatening a guest? Try me.”

Marlene looked from one older face to another and finally understood she had entered the wrong inn.

She left without shaking anyone’s hand.

Margaret watched the sedan pull away.

Her knees went weak only after the car disappeared.

Sam caught her elbow, careful and respectful. “You held.”

“I wanted to hide behind the Christmas tree.”

“But you didn’t.”

The phone rang before she could answer.

Naomi.

“I just received an email from Marlene Givens,” the attorney said. “She claims you are being influenced by Samuel Avery and June Avery for financial gain.”

Margaret looked at June, who had gone pale with anger.

“She was here,” Margaret said.

“I figured. Now listen carefully. We need documentation showing your independent capacity and your wishes. Today if possible. I can arrange a video meeting with a physician and another attorney as witness.”

“Do it.”

“And Margaret?” Naomi paused. “There is one more thing. Marlene attached a scanned letter allegedly written by you last month.”

Margaret’s heart thudded.

“What letter?”

Naomi’s voice lowered.

“A letter saying you planned to sell the house and move into Lauren’s home after Christmas.”

Margaret looked toward the ocean beyond the lobby windows.