Joe returned mid-afternoon the next day. As soon as he entered the Shaw's house and saw Mandie in the hall, he set down his carpetbag and hugged her like old times. "Did you miss me?" he teased.

Unexpectedly, tears pricked her eyes. Mandie laughed. "You were only gone one day." It was a pat response she didn't feel. She had missed him, and the realization shot a bolt of discomfort through her. Her mother's question yesterday nagged at the back of her mind. What about when Joe leaves?

Joe shook his head at Mandie. "Exactly. One day but you and that cat of yours immediately got into mischief after you promised you'd not do any solo adventuring. Have you figured out who broke into the bookstore already?"

"How did you—?"

"I stopped by Anna and Robin's on the way here, and she told me about it."

He'd visited Anna? Of course he would—she was his client. Why, it made all the sense in the world that he'd update her after his trip.

He clasped his luggage with both hands as if to put a barrier between them. "Are you all right?" His tone was light, but his eyes searched hers with evident concern.

"Yes, as Anna's already filled you in." The words held more emphasis than Mandie liked, but Joe didn't seem to notice, so she hurried on. "Tell me what you found out from Dr. Blair."

His frown warned Mandie that he wasn't happy, but he only sighed. "Give me a few minutes, and I'll be right back."

"Mother and Uncle John are in the dining room. We could sit in the parlor," Mandie said. After Joe had greeted Elizabeth and John Shaw, he went up to his room.

Mandie crossed into the parlor and plopped down at their usual settee, trying to banish the lingering prick of jealousy. She and Joe had been friends for so long—was it wrong to expect to be the first on most news? Probably. Why, this was plain silly; she wouldn't think about it anymore.

She smiled brightly when Joe came back and sat down next to her. "The trip wasn't a waste but didn't give us any proof as I'd hoped. Dr. Blair said Anna's father did talk to him about money matters, but he was a very private person and never discussed specifics.

"He seldom brought up his parents, other than asking the doctor once who would want to sever a son from his family. The doctor had answered whoever might receive the son's benefits in his stead, he supposed. Anna's father had said, 'If people are so quick to believe the worst, no mere talking will change their mind. And their opinion of you didn't amount to much to begin with.' The doctor pleaded with him to make amends if he meant that about himself. Anna's father had said never mind, and he'd not let the subject be brought up again.

"As for an inheritance left to Anna and Robin, Dr. Blair remembers some money put away for them, but a few months before his death, Anna's father said he wanted to use that money to lend to a friend. He wanted Dr. Blair's help in setting a fair timeframe for the loan to be repaid. Dr. Blair advised him to consider any money given as a gift or not to help at all because a loan between friends could put a strain between them. He doesn't know what Anna's father decided to do, but he suspected Mr. Barnes was the friend in question. The doctor said Anna's father treated him much like a son. That is all Dr. Blair could say on the matter." Joe raked his fingers through his hair and leaned back against the settee.

"It sounds like he didn't steal his parents' money, and if he gave Anna and Robin's inheritance to Mr. Barnes…" Mandie sighed.

"Then we have no extra income to support Anna's case for guardianship." Joe frowned. "Our best option is to make sure this doesn't go to court."

"There's one thing Anna couldn't have told you about yesterday," Mandie said, hoping Joe would follow her thoughts, rather than get overly protective. "The letter wasn't in Mr. Barnes's office. Either he disposed of it or the man who broke in took it."

"What reason could a stranger want with that letter?"

"I don't know, but I think it's time Mr. Barnes was honest, whether he wants to be or not. Will you try talking with him, after a piece of cake?"

Joe sat up straight. "I know what you're doing, but it worked if the cake is chocolate."

"Knowing Aunt Lou, I'm sure it is." Mandie grinned, grateful that some things in life didn't change.