Chapter 14

Jane sat there, stunned that she hadn’t thought about it. “Yes, I had a policy on daddy. Several million in fact.”

The girls inhaled at the number. They knew Frank had money, but now so does Jane apparently.

“Oh, and now that I am thinking about it, he had a bunch of money in investments as well. He always did seem to know where to put the money at the right time.” Jane said wistfully. “I suppose all I need to do is claim it all.”

“What do you want to do Jane? You don’t have to, I don’t know all of the legal angles, but if you claim it, people will hear about it. Are you ready to come out like that?” Frank asked, always the steady and level headed one.

She turned to him and put a hand in his, “As long as you are near me, I can do it.”

“Always.”

So it was decided. Two days later, the whole group had a tearful good-bye at the airport, Frank and Jane left to rejoin the world once again and whatever may come from that.

Frank rented a car and had Jane direct him toward her home in Illinois. When they arrived at her two story country house with lots of windows and a porch that ran across the front of the home, he told her how nice it was and how surprised that she could just walk away from all of this.

“Well, it may look nice, but without Kevin in it, it is just a building. It stopped being a home when he died.” Jane said softly.

He took her hand in his and walked toward the front door. The lights were all off and the drapes were closed making it look like no one was home.

They stepped up the front steps and Frank reached for the door knob but found it locked. Jane, without thinking, stepped to a bench and opened the lid and found a hidden key along one of the sides of it. She pulled it out, opened it, and slid the key into the lock and twisted it. She unlocked the door and it swung open with a squeak.

The house was as she left it. Table set, food dried and putrid on the plates. Dust on the furniture, on the pictures on every flat surface and items left sitting around as if they were expecting the owner to come right back at any minute.

Jane went to her purse which was sitting on a bench right by the front door and she opened it, pulled out her wallet and flipped open finding all of her bank card, ID and other items right where she had left them.

“Well that takes care of one potential problem I was worrying about.” Frank said.

“I know. Having a picture ID to go along with the WE is a good thing.”

Jane showed Frank around her house, ending the tour in the ‘office’ where Kevin had left all of the important papers of the family. He had pictures of his family all over proving what a loving father and husband he was. Frank picked up one picture of the whole family and marveled at the smiles and honest smiles on all of their faces. Not forced, not apprehensive, honest love and honest smiles.

“Jane, did you have a family lawyer? Someone you trusted?”

“Yes, his information should be here.” She said, moving to a filing cabinet and pulling it open. She thumbed through several folders then pulled one out and handed it to Frank. He flipped it open and found Catherine Hollis’s business card stapled to a sheet of paper along with several items hand written there. A code word even, but for what reason he didn’t know. It said, ‘SAFETY’ in bold letters.

Frank pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed the number on the card. It rang and was quickly answered by a man, “Catherine Hollis’ office. This is Mike.”

“Mike, good afternoon, my name is Frank Devon and I was wanting to talk to Catherine Hollis for a minute of some sensitivity. Is she available?”

“Yes sir, let me check her schedule.” Frank heard Mike clicking a mouse before he came back on. “Sorry sir, she is busy until tomorrow. Is there something I can help you with?”

Frank looked at the paper in his hand, “How about code word safety? Does that mean anything to you?”

Mike’s tone changed instantly and he quickly said, “Yes sir. One minute sir.”

The line was put on hold and then just as quickly a woman answered the line.

“Kevin? Is that you?” Catherine said in a rush of excitement.

“Catherine, no, my name is Frank Devon and I have Jane Morrison here with me. We found your name and number among his personal things.”

“JANE!! She’s alive!!!” She screamed with excitement. “Where are you? I’ll be right there, just tell me where you are!!” she said in a rush.

Jane took that moment to speak up. “Cate, it’s me Jane. I’m at home. Frank is the one who rescued me. I’m at home so why don’t you come right over.”

“STAY PUT, I’LL BE RIGHT THERE!” She said in a rush and hung up the phone.

Frank put his phone back in his pocket and then looked at Jane. “I guess we’ve got company coming.”

Jane laughed and left the office going back outside to wait for Cate.

They sat next to each other holding hands, and Jane resting her head on his shoulder. A mercedes pulled up and skidded to a stop and a woman wearing a sharp tan suit jumped out and ran toward the house yelling ‘JANE!’ the whole way.

Jane stood up, and the women came crashing together in a tearful embrace, both crying with joy.

“Where have you been? What happened to you?” Cate asked once they recovered from their reunion.