“Is that all you took?” Reid asked in a quiet voice.
The older woman sighed. “Money. A lot of money. But it’s all gone, and I can’t give it back.”
A burning question Jane had for years erupted. “How did Dad get so much money?”
Her mother stared at her. “He never told you? He was the treasurer for Mount Sinai. When he left with you, he took it. I would assume he invested it wisely. He’s that kind of man.” She shook her head. “That’s not important though, and I need to get home. The pictures are really what Gabriel wants. Give them back, and this will all be over.”
Jane’s gaze settled on Reid’s anguished face. The fallout of this would never be over, and she’d played a part in hurting him.
* * *
Jane’s mother fidgeted on the sofa, but Jane wasn’t about to let her leave yet. She still had too many questions without answers. “Why didn’t you go with me and Dad?”
Kim stared at the carpet. “Charles was a hard man to love. There’s always been a wall around him, probably because his dad was such a stern, unbending man. I had hoped Mount Sinai would be better for him than the Divine Rights compound, but your dad just couldn’t settle, no matter what. He found fault in everything.”
Wait, what? “Divine Rights compound? Was that another place like Mount Sinai?”
“You don’t remember? We were there until you were five. Your grandfather Mitchell started it. All of the Hardys were part of it in the early days. It was in Kentucky, the Cumberland area.”
Jane exchanged glances with Reid. That was where they’d first seen Gabriel. “I don’t remember it at all. Did they own a lot of land?”
“It was quite large. Money wasn’t a problem. Your uncle Edward put the squeeze on businesses around town to provide ‘protection.’ He filled the coffers with a lot of money, which made your grandfather happy, but your dad’s puritanical streak couldn’t handle it. He always had a lawman’s heart.”
“Is Dad’s father dead? He always said he was dead,” Jane said.
“Mitchell is dead to your dad for all intents and purposes. When we left Divine Rights, he swore all of us would face retribution. If that sounds extreme, think of the movie Deliverance.” Jane’s mother hugged herself. “They are scary, scary people. I was so glad to leave there.”
“Did he ever try to hurt you or Dad?”
Her mom shook her head. “But I still look over my shoulder.” She shuddered and clenched her hands together. “He mostly hates your dad, and I don’t think he knows where I am.”
“Does he know where Dad is?”
“I doubt it. He would have already taken revenge if he did. Maybe he’s dead, though even if he is, Edward hates your father even more than Mitchell did.”
“But they’re brothers!”
“Which made our leaving even more of a betrayal.”
Jane digested her mother’s revelations. “Are there more family members?”
“Edward was your dad’s only sibling. He had four kids when we left. Mitchell’s two brothers and three sisters were there too, and they all had kids. I think there were about seventy-five or a hundred at the compound when we left.”
“We found Gabriel in the Cumberland area.”
“I heard the two groups merged. Gabriel never was strong enough or smart enough to lead for long. He’s a better enforcer than a leader.”
Jane bit back a gasp. “Gabriel is with Dad’s brother now?”
“He was a few months ago. I try to keep tabs on what’s going on. I always expected Gabriel to show up looking for me.”
Jane should have been used to finding out secrets about her dad, but this still hurt. She’d grown up with a dearth of family, and she would give her right arm for more contact with aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Her mother rose. “I’ve given you what you wanted, and I need to get home to check on my girls.” She took a step toward Jane, then seemed to think better of it. “I’m sorry this visit hurt you, Jane.”
“Did you ever really love me, Mom?”
“I still love you, Jane. I know it doesn’t seem like it, but sometimes absence is better.”
Jane struggled to keep tears from falling. “For whom? Not for me. I never got over not having you around. I doubt I ever will.”
Kim’s expression didn’t change, and she brushed past without a word, then closed the door softly behind her.
Jane curled her fingers into her palms and willed herself not to run after her mother. It would change nothing and would just ramp up the anguish in her chest from painful to agonizing.
* * *
He’d always known his mother was dead . . . but why did it hurt so much to hear confirmation? Reid threw a pebble into the waves glimmering white from the moonlight. The pink granite walls rose behind him, and he could hear the dim tinkle of piano music from the hotel. The scent of seaweed and saltwater swirled around him with the water surging against the rock where he stood. If it came any higher, he’d have wet shoes.
Jane had wandered off, lost in her own thoughts, down along the water’s edge somewhere, and he resisted the urge to go find her. They each had to come to grips with what they’d learned tonight. If he could, he’d board a plane this minute and search for his mother’s remains. She didn’t deserve to be left in that cold dirt where no one visited but forest animals.
“Reid?”
He turned at Jane’s soft voice. “I’m here.”
Pebbles and sand crunched under her sandals, and he reached out to help her up onto the boulder where he stood. Her fingers were damp and chilly, as if she’d dipped them in the ocean.
She released his hand and slipped her hands into the pockets of her capris. “A rogue wave got me. I’m a little wet. Are you okay?”
“I’m not sure yet.” He crossed his arms over his chest and turned to stare out over the waves. A boat chugged past, and he caught a whiff of lobster. “Do you remember anything from those days with your mom?”
“When she was telling me about it, I had the sensation of a shovel in my hands. And the smell of dirt.” Her voice went higher and trembled. “I don’t think I really want to remember. I’m so sorry, Reid.”
He turned back toward her. “Maybe it’s better if you don’t think about it.”
“I should have remembered it. I should have told you when it happened.”
“You didn’t even see me between that trip and when Will was born.”
She gave a small huff of displeasure. “I could have sought you out.”
“My dad might have killed you. Me too, for that matter. If he could murder Mom in cold blood, he was capable of anything. He’d just kidnapped a woman when the raid went down. He was evil.”
She stepped close and wrapped her arms around his waist. “It’s a miracle you’re such a good man.”
He hugged her close. “I had Mom. She taught me what love and honor looked like. I was remembering the last few weeks before she died. I’m pretty sure she had been thinking about leaving. She mentioned her parents a few times and asked if I remembered them and if I would like to see them in Indiana. I brushed off her questions because I knew I wouldn’t leave you and the baby. I wish I’d talked to her.” His voice wobbled. “I wish I’d been more receptive to her fears.”