Read Grace Doll for Free Online Page A

stands by the door, his gaze on Judy. ”Thank you, Judy. You can leave us alone.”
    Judy’s eyes flash. “If this has anything to do with Jonathan’s estate, I’m going to be here. I’m legally entitled.”
    I shift my feet, start to sweat.
    “This has nothing to do with Jonathan’s estate.” Dick’s voice is smooth and practiced. “It’s only between Brenden and me.”
    Red bleeds up her neck and into her cheeks. “What could you have to say to him that can’t be said in front of me? I’m Jonathan’s wife.”
    “I understand, but this is a private matter.”
    With a loud sigh of disapproval, Judy glares at me before leaving and shutting the door.
    Dick crosses to the door and pauses, as if listening to make sure Judy’s not pressed against the other side. Seemingly satisfied, he faces me. “Your father wanted you to have something immediately upon his death.”
    “He did?”
    “There’ll be a formal reading of the will, but this has nothing to do with that.” He reaches into his suit jacket and pulls out an envelope. “He gave this to me four months ago with the promise that I give it to you as soon as possible.”
    I take the extended envelope. It’s thick with something small and hard inside. My name is across the front in Dad’s scrolled handwriting.
    “Should I open it now?”
    “You can if you want. It’s a key to a safe deposit box. He’s had me keep the key all the years we’ve known each other. However, I don’t know what is in the box. He also has a trust created in conjunction with whatever is in box. We can talk about that later.” Dick lays his palm on my shoulder. “You’re surprised?”
    Speechless. I stare at the envelope. Thrill skitters over my skin. I can’t believe Dad’s left me something. I hadn’t expected anything. I lift a shoulder. “Kind of, yeah.” My voice scratches out.
    “Jon was a great man.” A static quiet fills the air. “Like I said,” Dick continues. “This is for you only and only you.” He holds out a card. Richard Ridgeway, Attorney. His office address and phone number are embossed in silver. “Call me any time. I mean that.”
    I nod.
    He turns and heads for the door. “Jon wanted this kept confidential. Even from Judy.”
    I swallow. Nod. “Okay.” My head flashes fantasies of me opening the safe deposit box and heaps of money flowing out to my feet.
    When the door shuts and I am alone in the room, a sigh leaves my chest. Beyond the door, the soft buzz of voices hums like black bees. Dad spent hours in this room. He’d told me it was his favorite place in the house.
    My gaze leaves the envelope, moves to the worn leather chair. I ease myself into it and face the view of lush trees, the pool, brick patio. I shift, and the faintest waft of Dad whispers from the years, the depths, the life of the chair.
    When I get up to leave, the imprint left behind will be mine.
     
    * * *
     
    At the bank, I show my driver’s license and passport. An officer wearing a light grey uniform escorts me down marble stairs, through a narrow marble hall and into a vault-like room lined with what looks like millions of different sized steel doors with locks.
    He points out my door and leaves me alone.
    My heart beats so fast, I can hardly hold my hand still long enough to slip the long narrow key into the lock. Inside is another envelope with my name on it. Next to it sits a small silver box with a combination lock.
    Hands sweaty, I open the envelope, afraid to tear anything before I’ve had a chance to see what’s inside.
    A color photograph of Grace Doll—the screen icon of the 40s. I remember the photo. Dad had insisted I sketch it once. Her gaze is directly on the lens. The look in her eyes sends a tremor through me. When I was thirteen I’d had a crush on her after I’d watched Paradise Found. Dad had been her makeup artist back in the day, and the far-off look in his eye when he talked about her had piqued my curiosity. Mom told me Dad had been in