The Cost of Free Barbecue and the Family Secrets Left Behind
Juliette took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling quickly.
She opened the front door, letting in a gust of hot, humid air.
On the porch stood the delivery man, holding a large, steaming insulated bag.
“Is this for Juliette?” the delivery man asked, looking uncomfortable.
“Yes,” Juliette said, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness.
“Bring it inside, please.”
“No,” I said, stepping forward.
“Leave it on the porch.”
The delivery man looked between us, his eyes wide.
“Uh, I just need a signature,” he said.
“I’ll sign,” Juliette said, reaching for his clipboard.
Before she could touch it, the phone in my pocket began to vibrate violently.
I pulled it out.
It was a text message from an unknown number.
I tapped the screen, my eyes widening as the message loaded.
It was a photo of a legal document, dated three days ago.
At the bottom was Juliette’s signature, next to a bank transfer confirmation for an amount that made my stomach drop.
I looked up at Juliette, who was currently signing the clipboard with a flourish.
“You didn’t just inherit the estate, did you?” I asked.