Chapter 10 - THE UNEXPECTED VISITOR
The ringing of the secure intercom at the front security gate broke the peaceful afternoon stillness.
I was in the middle of helping Ethan and Noah assemble an intricate model rocket in the backyard when Dana walked out across the lawn, holding her corporate tablet with a slightly perplexed expression.
"Kesha," Dana called out, stepping carefully around a launch pad. "You're going to want to see this. We have an unexpected visitor at the outer gate."
I set down a tube of plastic cement and wiped my hands on a cloth. "Who is it, Dana? More press?"
"Worse," Dana sighed, adjusting her blazer. "It's Patricia Reynolds."
I paused, a cold, sharp stillness washing over me. Patricia? The last person I expected to make a pilgrimage down to Austin was the matriarch of Boulder who had looked down her nose at me with such absolute disdain.
"Did she say why she's here?" I asked, my voice flat.
"She claims it's urgent," Dana replied, raising an eyebrow. "She flew in on a red-eye commercial flight this morning. Security asked her to leave, but she refused to budge until she spoke with you directly."
I looked over at Noah and Ethan, who were watching us with curious, intelligent eyes.
"Keep building, boys," I instructed softly, giving them an encouraging smile. "Mom will be right back. Just handling some old business."
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I walked with Dana back toward the main house, stepping into the cool, marble-tiled foyer where the security monitor displayed the front gate camera. There stood Patricia, looking remarkably diminished. Her designer St. John suit was still immaculate, but her posture lacked its usual aristocratic stiffness. She looked tired, frayed, and desperately out of place under the Texas sun.
"Let her in," I instructed Dana calmly. "Drive her up to the front entrance, but have security meet her at the door. I want to see what she has to say for herself."
