Gift-Wrapped Family. Lois Richer

Feeling disheveled and weaker than she’d ever been, Mia walked slowly to the sunroom and sat down. She reached out to take her cup, but Caleb ordered, “Don’t touch that.”

      Mia flinched and drew her hand away. “Why?”

      â€œI believe there’s something in your tea that makes you sick.” His tone was harsh.

      â€œCaleb, that’s ridiculous,” she burst out. Maybe he was wrong about Harlan... “Trent would never—”

      â€œI’m pretty sure he’s done it before,” he said, certainty in his voice. “You’ve been drinking the stuff for days and you’ve felt ill about that long, right?”

      â€œYes. But—” Mia stared at her cup as frightening scenarios played through her mind.

      â€œThat tea should be tested. The police will be here shortly.” Caleb’s lips tightened. “They can do that. I’ve also ordered an ambulance.”

      She felt herself sway and grabbed the table. “Why?”

      â€œTo check you out and take blood samples that will discern if something’s off in your system.” Caleb leaned forward and covered her hand with his. His touch sent ripples of awareness up her arm. “Mia, you won’t like what I’m about to say.”

      â€œIs it worse than you saying Harlan was having an affair? That he had—a child with his secretary?” She had to force the words out. When Caleb nodded she saw pity on his face. She did not want his pity, so she straightened her spine. “Go ahead, say it.”

      â€œI believe that Harlan, along with Trent, was running some kind of scheme to secrete money. After Harlan died in the car accident, I believe Trent saw a way to get that money for himself.” Caleb frowned. “I think Riverbend Ranch is the reason, though I haven’t yet made all the connections. In order to get the ranch, Trent needs you out of the way.”

      Mia sat in stupefied silence as Caleb explained about the ranch her husband had supposedly bought. He spoke of a petition for divorce Harlan had supposedly filed the day he died and listed a money trail Caleb claimed he was still uncovering.

      Dazed and ill, horrified to imagine the man she’d married was capable of such betrayal, Mia tuned out the pain and hurt that threatened to overwhelm her. How could it be possible? How could God have betrayed her trust? She’d believed for so long that He was there, protecting her, comforting her in her lonely marriage. Now it felt as though He’d played a horrible trick, just as Caleb claimed Harlan and Trent had. It was too much to deal with.

      Her brain numb, she sat silent as Caleb told the same story to the police when they arrived. They waited in the kitchen when she let Trent inside. Mia could see guilt build in Trent’s eyes as Caleb pummeled him with questions. She couldn’t bear to believe that this friend, one of the few she had and the only one she’d truly trusted since Harlan’s death, had deliberately set out to hurt her.

      While Trent scrambled for a defense, Mia held her whirling emotions at bay. For now she’d be strong. But in her heart of hearts she knew she believed Caleb’s accusations. So deep was her feeling of betrayal, she couldn’t even manage a silent plea to God for help. He’d let this happen. How could she trust Him again?

      A detective arrived, showed Trent a warrant for his arrest and after a few questions told the officers to take her lawyer to the station. The detective seemed to know Caleb and the two whispered together before Caleb introduced her to Detective Ed Gray.

      â€œOur police station has been investigating Harlan Granger for several months via a request from the IRS who are tracking what they believe is unreported income,” the detective told Mia. “This new information about your lawyer adds to our investigation. For that reason I hope you’ll allow these paramedics to take a sample of your blood. Then I’ll need to ask you some questions.”

      â€œOkay.” Mia remained silent when he beckoned the paramedics forward. They took several vials of blood, which were then handed to an officer, who sealed them in an evidence bag and left with another officer.

      â€œThey’ll have our lab run tests on your blood,” the detective explained. “As a precaution, I’d like the paramedics to check you over now.”

      Mia nodded and the two medical people got to work.

      â€œYour vitals seem to be getting stronger,” they told her sometime later. “You’ll be okay.” The detective thanked and dismissed them.

      Mia was rolling down her sleeve when two men came out of her kitchen carrying evidence bags that contained her teas. Her heart sank a little further. Could it be true—had Trent been trying to poison her?

      â€œNow for the questions.” Detective Ed Gray’s face tightened.

      Mia did her best to answer everything he asked, even though some of his questions puzzled her. From time to time she glanced at Caleb. His gaze never wavered from her. But it was not a flattering look. It was a suspicious look that asked how she could have been so naive.

      In retrospect Mia asked herself the same thing as she finally accepted that she’d been incredibly stupid to have trusted her husband. But it had never occurred to her to not trust him because her mother had. In fact, she’d placed Mia’s life in his hands. And Trent was Harlan’s trusted partner. So why— She silently groaned, tired of trying to make sense of it.

      As the weight of her situation settled on her shoulders, Mia wanted to be left alone. And yet she didn’t want to be alone to think about Harlan’s betrayal. They hadn’t had a normal marriage, but to imagine that he’d betray her with Reba—

      One word played over and over in her mind. Betrayed. And following it—you can’t trust anyone.

      â€œMrs. Granger?” The detective touched her shoulder.

      â€œSorry. What did you say?” She forced herself to concentrate.

      â€œI know all of this must come as a shock, especially right after your husband’s death, but one of my officers has phoned to say Trent just admitted to lacing your teas with a substance to make you sick.” He gave her a sympathetic smile. “Our medical people advise drinking plenty of fluids to flush it out of your system. You can thank Caleb for acting on his instincts. There should be no long-lasting effects.”

      â€œThank you.” Mia looked at the lawyer and the detective, not knowing what else to say. Everything seemed surreal, like being an actor in some horrible play she couldn’t escape.

      â€œThe total of what Trent and your husband perpetrated isn’t yet clear, but we’ve launched a full investigation,” the detective explained.

      â€œOh.” If possible, Mia now felt worse. The rest? There was more betrayal in store for her?

      â€œI suggest you retain new legal counsel who can begin sorting through your husband’s affairs.” The detective inclined his head toward Caleb. “I can vouch for Caleb. He’ll be straightforward with you. And to be frank, I think you’re going to need his help.”

      Relief swamped her. Surely if the detective trusted Caleb, she could, too, if only for a little while, just until things were straightened out. A niggle of hope flickered to life. Maybe with Caleb’s help she could finally dare to imagine a future with hope. Please, Lord?

      â€œAny questions?” the detective asked.

      â€œWhy did Trent want to hurt me?” Mia asked.

      â€œI can’t answer that yet.” He gave Caleb a sideways glance. “But I will find out, I promise you.”

      â€œThank