Page 160 of Trust No One

Molly and Judson looked at me, both skeptical.

“It’s true,” I said. “I’ve counted them. Twice.”

“I can count to one hundred,” Molly said.

“One day you’ll count higher,” I said.

A car pulled in the front circle, and Edith Durant got out. I hadn’t called or spoken to her since I’d taken Molly. I braced as she climbed the stairs.

“Grandma is here,” I said.

Molly looked toward the sidelight windows by the front door. “Okay.”

“Do you want to see her?” Judson asked.

She nodded. “Yeah. Sure.”

“Do you want to spend time with her?” he asked.

“I guess.”

Judson’s gaze skimmed over the child’s head to mine. We both heard the tension.

The front doorbell rang.

“We’ll visit with Grandma here. But for now, I want you to stay with me, okay?” I asked.

Molly nodded. “Okay.”

“Molly, can you show me where the kitchen is?” Judson asked. “I need a cup of coffee.”

“I made a pot,” I said. “Molly, can you help Judson? We’ll be right there.”

“Okay.”

Once they’d vanished into the kitchen, I opened the door to Edith, who stood stiff and stoic. “Edith. I didn’t realize you were coming by.”

Her lips pursed. “I’m here to see my granddaughter. Where is she?”

“In the kitchen. You’re welcome to visit with her,” I said. “But I need to be clear. She stays with me.”

Edith shook her head, her eyes narrowing. “She’s mine.”

“She loves you. But I have custody of her. That’s not changing.”

“Until you get tired of parenting. Until you realize it’s a lot of work.”

“I’m sure I’ll face many challenges.”

“You cannot take her away from me.” Her words were razor sharp.

“I’m not. You can visit her here. But those visits will be here for now. There’s a lot to get through in the next couple of weeks.”

“What’s he doing here?”

“Checking in,” I said. “Would you like to join us in the kitchen?”

She eyed me. “You back together with him? You aren’t even divorced yet.”