Here is the next chapter. I hope there will be no more problems with posting. Amber.

Chapter 4

Frank waited until they were off the street. "What is going on? You know something."

Fenton turned. "I do. I just think I'll share it over a second cup of tea with your brother and mother."

They pulled into the driveway. Frank hurried into the house. "Joe...Mom...Family meeting."

There was bustling from upstairs. Joe seconds later came bounding down the steps. Laura Hardy called from the kitchen. "I've made cider."

They went into the kitchen. "This is a surprise." Fenton said.

"I figured we could use it. I thought Callie might come over and stay in Gertrude's old room."

"She's at her house, her godmother is there and Rick Reed."

"I'm glad she isn't alone." Laura said.

Fenton sipped his cider. "I was commissioned two years ago by Ellen Shaw to follow her husband and Linda Reed. I got photographic evidence of them sleeping together once a week for two years."

Joe sloshed his cider. "Wow."

"One of Patrick's Christmas presents two years ago was a DNA kit from his father. Turns out he has a half sister."

Frank stopped his mug midway to his mouth. "Callie?"

"Yes. They share fathers. So for the last two years Ellen has been building her case for a fault divorce and changed the beneficiary on her trust. All the money goes to Callie. That is set in stone. She just presented her husband through a representative the fault divorce yesterday. He had ninety days to vacate the house but since she was killed, he gets two million a year in survival benefits."

Joe whistled. "That's one hell of a motive."

Frank bristled. "Why hasn't anyone told Callie about Rick being her brother? He's two days younger than us. Are you suggesting that Linda and Callie's father Robert have always been involved?"

Fenton nodded. "They were high school sweethearts. They were prom king and queen and homecoming king and queen. They went to Harvard and sought out Ellen Beaudry with the intent to con her. That will be hard to prove. But that is what I see. Michael also went to Harvard and befriended the trio. They became couples and the rest is history."

Frank said. "Dad the minute Callie's father finds out about the trust he could hurt her or worse."

"Which is why on Monday after the state dinner we will offer to bring her here. I've arranged to be part of Senator Walden's security detail who will be attending the dinner. This way I will be close."

Frank breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank God! Can I tell Callie this stuff?"

Fenton nodded. "I encourage it."

Frank slept well thanks to the camomile tea and melatonin he took. He and Joe left thirty minutes early to pick Callie up. Callie came out the second they pulled up. "I'm going to need my car. After school I need to go look for centerpieces."

Frank got out of the van. He was sporting his new leather jacket which Joe had practically drooled on that morning. "No problem."

Callie smoothed her skirt. "Dad is making me go to school. I can't say anything to anyone about mom's death."

Joe's face darkened. "That's not fair to you."

"It really isn't but it's just until after the state dinner with the President. Joe please we can't tell anyone."

"Okay… but I don't have to like it."

Frank opened her car door. Callie climbed in gratefully and handed him her keys. "Thanks for coming."

He gave her a quick kiss. "No problem." They pulled up to the school. Frank put the car in park. Callie went to get out but Frank put a hand on her thigh stopping her. "We have to talk."

Callie looked at him warily. "What's up?"

Frank took a deep breath. "How close are you to Patrick Reed?"

"We grew up together. He's a good friend. He and his girlfriend Ginny sit at our lunch table. Why?"

"Have you checked your notifications from your DNA kit lately?"

"No, I did it for the medical stuff. I don't need to necessarily know my cousin's fourth removed."

"Callie, Rick got a DNA kit two years ago for his birthday from his dad. He discovered that he has a half sister. It's you."

"Oh my God! I had no idea! My dad is his biological dad!"

"There is more babe."

"Linda and your father were high school sweethearts. Your mom hired my dad to follow them two years ago. He has evidence of their encounters for the last two years. Your mom changed her trust beneficiary to you last year and presented the fault divorce via representative two days ago."

Callie her voice barely a whisper said. "So my father thinking she may not have changed the beneficiary of the trust could have hired someone to kill mom. Or he was looking to get something with the survivor benefits."

Frank grasped her hand. "Yes. That's why you have to be careful the next few days. I want you to consider staying with use once we turn eighteen on Monday. Dad is doing security detail for one of the attending senators. He'll keep an eye out."

Callie nodded. "I'll have a bag packed and ready. The tension between my parents has been awful. My dad came home last weekend he got angry with me and struck me."

Frank's fury quickly rose. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"It doesn't happen often."

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Frank asked, sick with worry.

"He was so mean. He said...That the only reason I was here was to placate my mom."

Frank wanted to find Robert Shaw and knock some sense into him. Callie was a treasure and did not deserve to be treated that way. They made their way through the day. They split up once. Callie to Latin and him to advanced computer science. They went to their last block government class. Their teacher was Mrs. Bailey. She said. "Everyone settle down. I have a surprise treat for my AP class."

They all took their seats. "As you know we have been studying the legislative branch. We have a special guest today. He was a practicing lawyer, then a judge."

Frank sucked in his breath. It couldn't be! He glanced at Callie who had come to the same thought. She batted her eyelids. 'Shit!'

Their teacher continued. "I am pleased to welcome to our class from the House of Representatives for the twenty third district, Robert Shaw."

The class clapped. Callie got up from her desk to hug her father. She knew he was expecting it and the last thing she wanted to do was upset him. "Hi daddy."

"Hello sweetheart."

Frank narrowed his eyes. Now that Callie had confided in him he could see the indifference in his eyes. It made his blood boil. Mr. Shaw nodded to him. "Frank, nice to see you."

Frank didn't want to answer. But the last thing he wanted was to embarrass Callie. Two could play, he thought. "You too sir. Thank you for taking the time to come to our class."

"It is an absolute pleasure. I know what you have been studying. Who has questions?"

Several hands flew up. Mr. Shaw chuckled. "An enthusiastic bunch. You should be proud Mrs. Bailey. How about you. First tell me your name."

For the whole class period Mr. Shaw answered questions. Addressing each student by name, then the bell rang. Mr. Shaw shook everyone's hand as they went out. Callie waited for Frank. Mr. Shaw smiled at him. "You going to help defeat Kirkland tonight?"

Frank smiled. "That's the plan. I have football practice in thirty minutes and Callie has cheerleading practice."

"You sure do. See you tonight after the game Callie. We're having hors devours with Linda and Rick."

"Can Frank come?" Callie asked.

It was there for a second, a look of fury. Then it disappeared to delight. "Of course. Bring your parents and brother as well Frank."

Frank smiled. "Delighted."

"Wonderful. See you then. Callie don't forget a lot has to be done on Saturday."

"Yes daddy and I'm going to get centerpieces after practice."

"Good girl. See you later. Mrs. Bailey a delight ma'am."

"Oh can you sign this. Rumor has it you are running for President and I'd."

"To think I was trying to keep that under wraps. I'd be delighted."

Frank and Callie left the room. "So that's why he didn't want to say anything; he wants to use the sympathy of the people regarding mom's death to his political advantage. Makes me ill."

"Except we can leak the affair."

"Frank I can't do that! My dad would blow a fuse!"

Frank decided to let the matter drop for now. They went to their separate practices. Callie took a shower, grabbed Vanessa, and went to meet Frank outside the boys locker room. He came out his hair wet from his own shower. He kissed her. "Hello beautiful."

Joe came out with the rest of their friends. Tony Prito, Phil Cohen, Biff Hooper, and Chet Morton. Joe gave Vanessa a kiss. Callie smiled at them all. "Good luck tonight fellas. If you win tonight you go to state."

"We're gonna crush em!" Joe said.

Liz Webling joined them. "Yes you are. Let's go get pizza."

"I've got to go shopping for centerpieces." Callie said glumly.

Frank took her hand. "I'll go with you." They both waved and left.

The whole group turned and stared daggers at Joe. Joe put up his hands. "What did I do?"

Vanessa said. "It's not what you did. It's what you know. Callie is off."

Phil said quietly. "She was subdued at lunch and Frank has been more clingy than normal. And you were giving her worried glances."

Joe cursed. "Callie begged me not to say anything."

Vanessa crossed her arms. "Than you'd better start talking."

Joe looked at Chet. "Do you think your mom will let us use a classroom to talk?"

Chet pulled out his phone and sent a text. A second later he got a reply. "Office conference room."