The Book of James Read Online Free PDF

across the empty expanse of desktop at his bookshelf. Nothing there to help me. Just then he came back in and lowered himself into his chair.
    “Have you come up with some ideas about your wil , Ms.
    Weichmann?”
    “Mackenzie, please call me Mackenzie,” I said.
    “Interesting name.” His arms rested on the desktop, his fingers
    interlaced. His eyes studied me; the steady gaze made me slightly uncomfortable.
    “My mother’s maiden name.” I cleared my throat. “Her name
    was Joan Mackenzie. My mother and father couldn’t agree on
    a name until after I was born, so they just slapped my mother’s
    maiden name in front and that was it.” I was babbling. His eyes were still on me; he said nothing. “I never liked the name Weichmann.
    It doesn’t go with Mackenzie. It sounds like a Nazi name, but that was Eichmann, wasn’t it? And now I find out all this time I could have been Mackenzie Whitfield. That has a nicer sound to it, but I think I’m going to go with my maiden name, Carlisle.”
    “So . . .” His smile was tight. “The will?” He hadn’t even been
    listening.
    “Yes, wel , this was such short notice. I didn’t have a chance to write anything down. It’ll be very simple, though.”
    “We’ll start with this.” He pushed a piece of paper at me.
    “Answer these questions first and then we can talk some more.”
    THE BOOK of JAMES
    29
    I looked down at the sheet. The words executor and beneficiary popped out at me. The letters all started to blur together. I glanced up.
    Dylan was studying Nick’s documents, rocking his chair
    slightly. “It’s a bit of money to consider.”
    “Did you know the Whitfields?” I asked.
    “Not real y. My father knew the family, but I can’t say I did.
    They lived not too far from us when I was growing up but didn’t
    socialize much, I guess.” He hesitated. “I’m sorry for your loss.”
    The statement was wooden, but I barely heard it. “Where did
    you grow up? Near here?” I tried not to sound too eager.
    He nodded distractedly. “Chestnut Hil .” He was engrossed in
    the papers in his hand. “If you aren’t interested in setting up trusts, anything like that, it shouldn’t take long to draw up a document so we can probate your husband’s wil . You need to finish those questions and then we can move on to . . .” He glanced up at me. “Are you with me, Mackenzie?”
    I nodded. “Does Nick’s mother still live there, do you know?”
    His brows creased. “I think so.”
    “Would you happen to have her address? I want to send her a
    card.” I had moved to the edge of my seat.
    He set the papers down. “A card? To Nick’s mother? You
    mean you haven’t spoken to her?” His head tilted to one side with curiosity.
    Nick had used his precious last minutes warning me not to
    trust anyone.I had no idea if he meant to include this man on the other side of the desk, but my stomach was clenching. Dylan
    McBride’s cornflower eyes bore straight into mine. “No, I haven’t.
    Nick wasn’t on close terms with her. But I thought she should
    know . . .” I hesitated. “I’m at a loss as to how to do that. He didn’t give me so much as an address.” I moved back in my chair and
    rubbed at my face with my hand. “I was going to Google her, but I don’t even know her name.”
    30
    ELLEN J. GREEN
    Everything about him suddenly relaxed, softened a bit. “It’s
    funny, when I read your file I thought you were going to come in
    here eager to get this taken care of.” He raised Nick’s will in the air and shook it slightly. “To get your money. Most people would. But you almost seem bored with the details.”
    “The money was a complete surprise. To tell you the truth,
    it doesn’t even seem real.” I sucked in air sharply, feeling my
    eyes begin to water. I didn’t want to cry. “It’s been very hard, Mr.
    McBride, because I’m all alone with this. My family is . . . scattered around. And I never knew Nick’s. Please, can you tell me