A brief, tight smile lifted the corners of the lawyer’s mouth. “Indeed. So, you’re living in Clifton Falls now?”
“Yes, for the time being anyway. Sorry, but what’s this about?”
“Well, Falls Law is acting on behalf of the estate of James Sinclair, who recently passed away. I’m not sure if you’re aware, but you’ve been named as a beneficiary in his will.”
Bewildered, Molly let the name circle her brain. The surname was familiar, of course, but definitely not James. “James Sinclair? I don’t know a James Sinclair.”
“You possibly know him by his middle name, Jesse.”
Jesse?Molly covered her mouth with her hand. She went to speak, but words failed her. Why would this Sutton woman say such a thing?
“I’m sorry. I assumed you’d been informed. He passed away back in December.” She hesitated, then slid a box of tissues in Molly’s direction. “I gather from his family that you hadn’t seen James for some time. Is that correct?”
Molly struggled to keep her breath steady as she stared at the woman in utter disbelief. What was she saying? That Jesse was dead? ThatherJesse and James Sinclair were one and the same person? “Eight years. It was eight years ago…” Her words drifted on a murmur.
The lawyer jotted something on a legal pad in front of her. “I see.”
But Ms. Sutton didn’t see at all. Molly didn’t know any James Sinclair. Jesse wasn’t dead. She’d seen him with her own eyes. Talked to him. Slapped his card on the bar in front of him before storming off.
Sorry, do we know each other?
She tugged a tissue from the box and held it in her lap. “But Jesse can’t be dead. I saw him the other day. At the lights on Seaview Road. Riding a Vespa. Without a helmet. And at the patisserie…” Her lips trembled, and Molly pressed them together as she looked at the lawyer, waiting for any of this to make sense.
“Ah, that would have been his brother, Jake.” The lawyer’s expression softened a little. “They are… were twins.”
“Twins?”
Ms. Sutton nodded. “You weren’t aware of this? And you had no contact with James in the weeks prior to his death?”
The lawyer’s questions faded into the background. “Jesse has a twin?” Molly slumped in her chair. “He’s really dead?”
“He is, I’m sorry to say. As I mentioned before, almost three months ago now.”
“But how? Was it an accident… Was he ill?”
“I’m afraid I’m not at liberty to say. I can, however, put you in touch with his family. In fact, as you’re a beneficiary, we could set up a meeting with James’ father, Henry. He’s the primary executor and can answer any questions you might have.”
Molly stared down at the hands clasped in her lap. The tissue now lay in shreds. Jesse was dead. How or of what, she didn’t know. And now, the lawyer was suggesting she meet his father.
“Sorry, but I… I’m not sure what any of this has to do with me.” Molly reached down, picked up her bag, and held it in her lap, the scraps of tissue still clutched in her unsteady hand. “I knew Jesse for only a few weeks. You must have the wrong girl.” She shifted to the edge of her seat, desperate to be out of the office so she could at least have some time alone to think.
“I understand this must come as a shock, but we definitely have the right person. James was most specific about that detail.”
Molly clutched her bag strap tighter. Why did this woman keep calling him James? That wasn’t his name. His name was Jesse. “I should go. Please pass on my condolences to Jesse’s family.”
“Of course.” Annabelle paused. “Do you have a business card with your email address on it?”
“For?”
“So we can forward any documents as necessary. Also, as I mentioned earlier, as executor of the will, James’ father will want to touch base at some point. But Henry’s out of the country for a few days, so may I pass on your details to Jake in the interim? I’m sure he can fill in any blanks you have and arrange a meeting with his father.”
Blanks? This whole situation was one big blank. “Look, Ms. Sutton. I appreciate your time,” Molly said as she rose from the chair, “but whatever it is that you think I’m entitled to, I can’t benefit from Jesse’s death. We hardly knew each other, and I’m sure his family wouldn’t appreciate me holding out my hand for something I don’t deserve, as insignificant as it may be.”
Ms. Sutton nodded. She unclipped a business card from the file and offered it to Molly, then stood and stepped out from behind her desk. “Jake’s details. And I understand your concern, but James nominated you for a reason, and it’s my job to see that nomination through, whatever the eventual outcome.”
Nominated?The woman made it sound as though Molly was up for some kind of award, not a payout from an ex-boyfriend’s estate. And was he ever… her boyfriend? As tears prickled at the corners of her eyes, she looked up to the heavens. She needed air, a shot of vodka, and someone to hold her tight.
“I… I just can’t be here. Not right now. I’m sorry.”
