Finding Julian Read online

  Smiling, he released my hands and said, “Wish me luck?”

  “Good luck.”

  Seven left me in his room alone and I went back to the message from Ms. Vaughn, ignoring the email from Clyde. He didn’t even put anything in the subject line to highlight the purpose of his mail. Though, there was nothing good enough to make me forget what he’d done.

  I noticed there were two documents attached to Ms. Vaughn’s email. One that said ‘the copy’ and another said ‘last message’. I downloaded them to Seven’s laptop and quickly read through her email:

  Julian, I found the copy of the will you wanted. Also, Mr. Cornwell saved something on my backup drive a day before he was killed. It really alarmed me so I showed it to Detective Walters to help with the investigation, and since it concerns your family I thought I’d share it with you as well. Be careful, dear.

  D. Vaughn

  Be careful? I opened the one marked ‘last message’ first. Her email had me curious since she even told the police about it. Once Microsoft Word came up, I braced myself for what Mr. Cornwell had written. Taking a deep breath, I began reading it:

  Dana, if you’ve found this then that means he went through with killing me. And maybe I deserve it for betraying my friend the way I did.

  After that day when Cole came to me asking to take his sister out of the will, I tried to convince him otherwise because he thought she was trying to take all he had. He was wrong about her. Monroe only wanted to confuse him. Still, Cole wouldn’t listen to me. That’s why I changed the will in front of him to make him happy, but then I switched it to the old one after he left, changing the date instead.

  All I can do now is ask that you warn his daughter, Julian Rowell. There’s someone in that house keeping tabs for Monroe. Someone who helped him kill her father.

  Cole kept Julian in his will because he believed she was the only one he could trust. Can you believe that? A daughter he didn’t even know well. But it seems Monroe has taken a liking to her. He was even following her around in Manhattan. Please warn her for me, Dana. He’s going to come after me for telling her I think her father was killed. I just couldn’t bear the guilt anymore. And I’m sure if she remains in Narragansett for long she’ll probably be next, especially if she tries to give her inheritance to her sister.

  Tell her to transfer the money her father left her and leave Narragansett as soon as possible. I don’t know what he’ll do next, but I do know he’ll do whatever to keep his plan intact.

  I collapsed in the chair and let out a gasp. I couldn’t believe what I’d just read. Mr. Cornwell had clearly identified his killer as a Monroe. And since Seven was with me during the time he was killed, Mr. Cornwell was obviously talking about Anthony Monroe.

  “Oh my god,” I whispered, quickly printing out both Mr. Cornwell’s last words and the will. Then I began searching around the desk for something to save them on. I had to remove both from Seven’s laptop.

  I opened one of the top drawers in the desk and spotted a flash drive. After checking to see if he had anything important on it, I cut and pasted the documents from his laptop seeing the flash drive was empty.

  If Detective Walters had already received Ms. Vaughn’s email then he would surely question both father and son. I could only imagine the look on Seven’s face when the police showed up at the office and hauled him off to the station.

  Even though my father felt apprehensive about her intentions, I wanted to believe I could trust Mackenzie. She was the only one I felt like I could tell all this to aside from Seven.

  Hurrying from my room, I saw Claire in the kitchen washing breakfast dishes as I passed by to go out the front door.

  “Good morning,” she said, giving me a cagy look.

  I slowed at the door. “Morning, Claire.”

  Then I thought back to what Mr. Cornwell said in his last words, that Monroe had someone in the house working with him—someone who obviously kept an eye on the Vandersons. She was Anthony’s lover, so it made perfect sense.

  Claire was hired by Aunt Bev to work in the guesthouse, that didn’t mean she had no access to the main house. There was no way of questioning her without sounding suspicious though. If she was involved in all this, then she could be dangerous.

  “Is something the matter, Julian?” her troubled voice zapped me out of my thoughts.

  “Oh, nothing.” I waved her bye then walked out of the guesthouse, treading across the lawn. Hopefully, Mackenzie was at home and hadn’t already left.

  When I entered from the deck and stepped into the kitchen, the house was dead quiet. Walking into the living room, I browsed the area, checking for their housekeeper. Seeing there was no one around, I went upstairs in search of Mackenzie’s room.

  I knocked on every door I passed and peeked inside, trying to locate hers. There was one door locked and I assumed it to be Marlene’s bedroom. Then finally, at the end of the passage, I came to the last room on the right.

  “Mackenzie,” I called out softly, opening the door halfway. The room was much bigger than the guestroom I’d been staying in. The walls were painted in light green and the dark wood furniture created a modern atmosphere. It was sophisticatedly decorated. I instantly thought how Mackenzie had nice taste.

  A soft moan came from the bed and I walked over and shook her body lightly. “Mackenzie.”

  Rolling on her side, she squinted at me in confusion then shot up on her elbows. “Why are you in my room?”

  “I have something I want you to see.” I unfolded the papers and reached them out to her.

  Mackenzie glanced at my outstretched hand then up at me. “Look, if this is about the will, Mom said she’ll take care of it soon enough so you can get out—”

  “It’s not that,” I hissed. “Just look at these.”

  She scowled before snatching the papers from my hand. Mackenzie read through the will. Amazed, she eased up and rested her back against the headboard.

  “What’s this? It’s…different. Where’d you get it?” her eyes widened as she looked to me for answers.

  “Mr. Cornwell’s secretary sent it to me. She said our father made it a few months before he died.”

  Mackenzie dropped her eyes to the will again. “This can’t be right. It says Seven should get the company. Aunt Bev isn’t even mentioned here…” she eyed me again.

  I sat down in the grey Tafton club chair next to her bed. “That’s not the only weird shit. Look at the other paper. Mr. Cornwell left that for his secretary a day before he was murdered.”

  Mackenzie placed the will down beside her and read through Mr. Cornwell’s last words. Her forehead creased. Her face twisted. Moments later, she slowly lowered her hands onto her lap then spun her head to face me.

  “He didn’t say which Monroe it was. And how does his secretary even know if it’s really Robert who wrote this and left it for her to see?”

  I didn’t think about that. “She…I don’t know…but she sent it to the detective working on Mr. Cornwell’s murder. I’m sure he’s probably going to question Seven and his father, especially since I already told him Mr. Cornwell mentioned to be his suspicions about our father being murdered.”

  Mackenzie jumped out of bed and hurried over to her closet. “Do you even know what that letter is saying? Robert’s basically insinuating someone in this house killed my dad, and that my cousin, or Uncle, killed him. We already know Seven was with you so it definitely puts my uncle in a bad situation.” She disheveled her hair in frustration. “None of it makes sense. And what’s that about following you around in Manhattan?” She hauled on skinny blue jeans and slipped into a plain tank top. “Geez, Julian. Why didn’t you say something to me sooner?”

  I jumped up. “I didn’t know anyone was following me in Manhattan, much less about Seven or his father doing anything—”

  “Not that!” she hissed. “Why didn’t you tell me Robert told you our father had been killed? That’s not something you just ignore.”

  “H
e asked me not to say anything. But, didn’t your mom tell you? They heard about it the day of Mr. Cornwell’s murder because I told the cops.”

  She scoffed, “Seriously? Well, no one told me. You should have.”

  I folded my arms. If she had treated me better, we could have talked like sisters. “I didn’t think I could trust you. You were more concerned about whether or not I’d give up my inheritance to you.”

  “I would’ve pressed my mom to do an autopsy,” she pointed to her chest. “I would’ve figured this mess out had you said something.”

  “Yeah, right! Would you have even listened to me?”

  Mackenzie went quiet. She parted her lips to say more when her cell phone rang. She exhaled before walking over to the end table to answer it.

  “What?” She certainly didn’t smooth her words with anyone.

  I went over to Mackenzie’s bed and grabbed up the papers, nearly jumping out of my skin when her voice soared.

  “What! Great…” she eyeballed me. “Okay, I’ll call my mother and go pick him up. Thanks for calling me.”

  She snatched up her clutch and car keys off the table. “That was Gavin,” she said harshly, heading for the door. “He said cops showed up at the office and took Seven in for questioning. Looks like Robert’s stupid secretary really informed that detective.”

  Mackenzie dashed out of the bedroom, I hurried behind her. “What are we going to do?”

  “We?” she spun on the first step of the stairs. “I’m going to find out what really happened to our father and clear their names.”

  She turned and continued down the stairs. Her remark stunned me. Our father.

  Collecting myself, I hurried down behind her. I hastened out of the house and over to her car, moving around to the passenger side then hopped in.

  “What are you doing?” she snapped, putting the key in the ignition.

  “I’m going with you.”

  “No, you’re not. You need to just leave—”

  “I’m a part of this, Mackenzie. I’m not going anywhere until I find out what really happened to my father and what’s going on around here.”

  She let out a mocking laugh before finally backing the car out of the driveway. Mackenzie drove as fast as she could to the police station, jumping out of the car the second she turned the engine off.

  I rushed in beside her as she asked the officer at the front desk for Seven Monroe. Detective Walters was still questioning him so we were told to have a seat and wait for the lawyer. Shortly after, a man in an expensive suit arrived, Marlene in tow.

  “Mom,” Mackenzie walked up to her.

  Marlene stroked her cheek. “I just couldn’t believe what you told me. Anyway, Mr. Danton will have them out of this place in no time.”

  “Them?” Mackenzie asked.

  Marlene nodded. “They arrested Anthony as well.”

  Just as she said that her lawyer waltzed up to the front desk and was immediately escorted around back.

  I stayed silent, tugging on the fabric of my jeans while I sat down to wait. For a fraction of a second, I glanced over to where Marlene and Mackenzie were standing. My stepmother flashed me a scowl then walked over to me.

  “I should tell you, Mr. Danton has dealt with the will. You’ll be back in Manhattan in no time.”

  I was about to tell her the drama surrounding the will, but Mackenzie beat me to it. “Mom, the will you have isn’t exactly legit.”

  Marlene spun fast and stared at her daughter. “What do you mean?” She glanced back at me.

  Before Mackenzie had the chance to explain it further, Mr. Danton walked up with Seven and his father behind. Mr. Monroe looked humiliated.

  Marlene rushed into him, wrapping her arms around her beloved older brother.

  “Anthony, are you okay? What did they say? Do they have anything to charge you with?” her questions were even tiring me out, so I could only imagine how Mr. Monroe was feeling.

  He merely shook his head and mumbled, “Can we just get out of this place?”

  I stood as Seven came to a stop and stared at me. Mr. Monroe made a low growl as he passed by.

  “Why didn’t you tell me about Mr. Cornwell’s last message?” asked Seven, as everyone else walked off towards the exit.

  “I only found out this morning.” I reached my hand out to touch his but he eased away.

  “I would never hurt your father. You have to believe that.”

  “I do.”

  I wasn’t sure why, but a sarcastic grin formed on his face. “You don’t look so sure.”

  Without muttering another word, he continued past me and towards the exit behind his father and the others.

  It was as if I didn’t matter. I felt out of place, all over again, the only one walking slowly behind the family I still didn’t belong to.

  Chapter Twenty

  I was surprised Mackenzie even bothered to offer me a ride back. I refused, but she didn’t want me to be a nuisance to anyone else. When we got to the house, Mr. Danton looked over both copies of the wills. He said it wasn’t clear which was accurate, so he’d have to look into the matter some more.

  Seven walked over to the main house with his aunt and father, Mackenzie followed behind. They really needed to hear what the police asked both father and son.

  I started to head for the guesthouse, only to halt in my steps because Marlene wanted me to come inside as well. She said I needed to explain to them exactly what I’d discussed with Mr. Cornwell’s secretary.

  “Obviously, I’m not a suspect in Mr. Cornwell’s murder, since I was in the café with Julian at the time he was killed.” Seven plopped down on the sofa. “But because of what he wrote, the cops are accusing me of killing the man that’s been more like a father to me than my own.”

  “Give me a break,” Mr. Monroe sneered.

  Seven balled his hands into fists. “Oh, really? And where were you, Dad?”

  We all gazed at Mr. Monroe, standing behind the armchair. He kept his eyes on the floor while he cracked his knuckles in nervousness.

  “Anthony?” Marlene pressed, folding her arms.

  Then he walked over and sat down in the upholster armchair, looking across the room at her.

  “I was with someone…a friend.”

  “Which friend?” asked Mackenzie. “Where were you guys? Maybe you can get some witnesses to swear for you—”

  “I was with Claire Watson,” he admitted, hesitantly gazing at Seven.

  Mackenzie sat down on the sofa, holding her cousin’s hand. Marlene had a petrified look on her face. I wondered what upset her more: Mr. Monroe having an affair, or that he was having an affair with the hired help.

  “Beverly’s housekeeper?” she confirmed, making Claire sound as if she was far beneath her.

  “We’d spent the night together, in Boston. Then we drove back early so she could start her work at the guesthouse on time,” Mr. Monroe explained.

  Seven’s eyes were seething with fury. I wanted to comfort him so bad.

  The room went still for a moment. Heaving a sigh, Marlene went and sat cross-legged on the sofa next to Seven.

  “What did Ms. Vaughn say to you, Julian?” she asked me, dismissing her brother’s confession for the time being.

  “Yeah, we can’t even be sure that message was really left by Robert either,” added Mackenzie.

  With the exception of Seven, they all shot daggers at me. There was so much resentment coming from them that I couldn’t take it anymore.

  “What’s your problem?” I snapped, directing my question at Marlene.

  She snorted. “Do you really need me to reiterate? Firstly,” she started to count off her fingers, “you’re the daughter of my husband’s lover. Secondly, he left his estate to you, twice. So whichever will is legit, you still get it all. And last but not least, since you’ve been here everything seems to be going downhill. Why can’t you just leave already? Wasn’t it you who said you’d be gone right after the funeral?”


  Leaning forward, her blue eyes narrowed with anger as she stared intently at me. “I can have Mr. Danton send every last piece of detail to you by mail or fax to make it easier for you. You don’t have to stay here.”

  I glanced over at Seven. He turned his head away. This time, he wasn’t coming to my defense, and that stung greatly. Truth be told, I was really staying because of him. The inheritance and working on the project with Aunt Bev were only excuses I wanted to believe kept me in Narragansett, when my real reason was Seven. And it hurt that there wasn’t any way to establish some sort of relationship with my half-sister.

  To hell with it.

  It was time for me to return the same treatment. The ball was in my court anyway. I had something they all wanted.

  Getting up from the sofa across from them, I pressed my eyes shut to build up some courage. Taking a deep, long breath, I opened my eyes again and spoke with confidence.

  “I’ll leave once I find out if my father was really murdered, and if he was, I want to know who killed him. As for the estate, I’ve decided not to turn it over. I’m putting it on the market.”

  They all gasped in astonishment as I stormed out the front door. I’d reached the side of the house when Mackenzie came running after me. She yanked my arm back, stopping me at the top of the marble steps.

  “I knew it,” she fumed, tears welling up in her eyes. “The money’s too good to give up, isn’t it? You had this in mind from the moment you heard he’d given everything to you.”

  Not sure why but I held my hand up in defense. “You have a condo and all the money in the world. What’s it matter?—”

  “This is my home!” she yelled, tears started to flow, pain etched across her face. “It’s the only thing I have,” she whimpered. “You had his heart. At least let me keep this place.”

  Even though she’d not once ever been nice to me, I did the only thing I could: I wrapped my arms around her. My move shocked us both. I only knew she was suffering, and I wanted to comfort her. In this moment, she was my sister.