Free Grave Deeds by Betsy Struthers Page A

money!”
    He shrugged. “It’s worth it to her. Are you interested?”
    â€œI’ll have to think about it.” I weighed the envelope in my hand. “I don’t think I can. There’s that stipulation my grandfather put in, that if I don’t want the land, I have to give it to the province.”
    â€œThat’s not legally binding,” Markham said patiently. He shifted from one foot to the other. Obviously he would have preferred to be sitting comfortably in my apartment. I just wanted to get rid of him so that I could get a good look at what Mr. Ross had given me.
    â€œYour uncle insists on it,” I said.
    â€œIt’s only to your cousin,” his voice rose. “It’s not like it’s going out of the family. She has more claim on the place than you do, sentimental and otherwise.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œThere’s a question about your parents’ marriage. How legal it was.”
    â€œThey got married in England. In a church. My mother showed me pictures.”
    â€œPictures can be faked. That church was destroyed in the blitz — if it existed at all.”
    â€œJust what are you implying?” I stood very still to try to stop the trembling that rose in waves from my knees to my lips. I blinked back sudden tears.
    â€œIt’s a question of legitimacy,” Markham went on. “Whether you really are your grandfather’s heir or not.”
    â€œMy father was George Cook,” I retorted. “That’s been proven.”
    â€œHis name is on your birth certificate, true.”
    â€œYour uncle is perfectly satisfied with my right to the family property.”
    â€œMy uncle is old.”
    â€œI’ve had enough.” I reached past him for the door handle.
    He grabbed my arm. “Let’s quit pretending,” he said. “You can’t tell me you’re not interested in the money. Everyone’s interested in money. Think of what you could do with half a million dollars. I’m sure your husband would.”
    â€œLeave Will out of this.”
    â€œWhy would you want to be saddled with a few acres of rock in the middle of nowhere? The taxes are high and there’s the upkeep of the house. It’s not a free ride; a lot of costs go along with owning land.”
    â€œPlease let go of my arm.” I refused to look at him.
    â€œYou okay, Rosie?” Bonnie pushed in from outside, a sack of groceries in each hand. She shook her head to dislodge the hood of her raincoat. “What are you doing here?” she demanded.
    Markham dropped my arm to brush at some drops of water that spotted the sleeve of his overcoat. “Talking to Ms. Cairns.”
    â€œAbout me?” she glared at him. “Did Harold send you to spy on me?”
    â€œHarold doesn’t send me anywhere,” Markham said. “I’m not interested in the sordid little details of your life. I have business with Ms. Cairns.”
    â€œWatch out for him then,” Bonnie said to me. “Snake is his middle name. He’s probably trying to chisel you out of that land your aunt left you.”
    â€œNow, just a minute,” Markham protested.
    She ignored him. “Open the door for me, will you?” she asked me.
    I unlocked it. She elbowed her way through, then turned back to stare at us through the glass. The elevator door slid open. She ignored it.
    â€œBonnie’s waiting,” I said to Markham. “I think our business is concluded, don’t you?”
    He controlled his temper with a visible effort. “I forgot she lived in this building.”
    â€œShe lives right across the hall from me.”
    He shook his head. “How lucky for you. I’d keep away from her if I were you. She’s a bit…” He patted his temple with one finger.
    â€œFunny thing, she says the same about you,” I retorted.
    â€œWhat’s she been saying?” he demanded, his brows