Baltimore 03 - Did You Miss Me?

cheating.’
    ‘Her mother’s contract with Nadine.’
    Maggie looked surprised. ‘She told you a lot. Travis figured she had to be cheating, because she wasn’t getting any from him.’
    Joseph wasn’t proud of the childish spurt of pleasure he felt at the last few words, but the relief he could live with. Travis was a womanizer and men like that, more often than not, brought STDs home to their wives. That she hadn’t been with Travis meant she’d been protected. It also meant she hadn’t been with Travis and that his jealousy could sit the hell down now.
    ‘He got pictures of this embrace, and used them against her when she had cancer ?’
    ‘Basically, yes. In any other normal , non-Elkhart world, what that PI had pieced together would have been laughed out of court. But the Elkharts run in more rarefied circles. Travis let a few hints drop and the rumor spread like wildfire. Standing up for Daphne cost Scott his business and what property he had left. The bankruptcy cracked his marriage.
    ‘When Daphne bought this place, she immediately reached out to him. He was alone at that point, so he moved up here. He started coaching Ford again, Ford started winning and things turned around for Scott. Clients started bringing their kids to train with him again and he was able to buy the next farm over a few years ago. Scott’s very loyal to Daphne and he’s been the male role model in Ford’s life.’
    ‘So what happened with Travis and the cancer doctors?’
    ‘Oh.’ Maggie smiled and Joseph relaxed a little. ‘Travis was holding a settlement over her head – but she had to cede custody of Ford to get it. It was one of those time-sensitive choices. She could fight him and probably win, but it could take a long time to get to court. She needed care then.’
    Part of Joseph wished the watch they’d found in a pool of B negative blood really did belong to Travis Elkhart. No, all of me wishes it . ‘ What did she do?’
    ‘Cried a lot. That’s when I came down. Simone was at her wits’ end, trying to get Daphne the care she needed. Daphne was having X-rays and biopsies and having to make some hard choices about her health. Travis made it so that she also had to choose between her son and her life.’
    ‘Sonofabitch.’
    ‘You’ll get no argument from me there.’
    ‘But she got the care she needed.’
    Maggie’s smile widened. ‘Yeah. I’d only been in her house for about four hours when Ford approached me. He was twelve. So that day, he comes downstairs in a suit and tie and asks me if I’ll drive him to his grandmother’s estate in Virginia. I was very curious why, but he didn’t seem inclined to share. I took him there, and waited in the “parlor” while he met with his grandmother behind a closed door. When he came out he was slipping a piece of paper into his pocket, looking damn satisfied. Nadine, though, she was pale. Ford turned and said, as adult as you please, “We have an agreement. All bills will be paid on time.” Nadine said they would and that she’d inform Daphne’s doctors of the new billing address the next morning. Then the kid gave her this look and patted the pocket where he put the paper.’
    Joseph’s brows shot up. ‘He blackmailed his grandmother?’
    ‘I guess so. He never told me what he’d said and I never brought it up. After that, things were different. Daphne got treatment and pretty much anything else she wanted. It was a good settlement. I’ll admit, I’ve always wondered what Ford had in his pocket. But I never told Simone or Daphne. That was between me and Ford. I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t tell unless you have to.’
    ‘I’ll do my best. That Ford has been blackmailing his grandmother might also explain why the judge and his mother haven’t taken a great interest in Ford’s being missing.’ She shrugged and Joseph shifted the subject. ‘You said you were Daphne’s nanny. When was this, and where?’
    ‘Daphne was eight and in Riverdale.’
    ‘Why did Daphne need a nanny? At eight, a lot of kids are latch-key kids if their parents work. Especially poor kids.’
    ‘Oh. Not a babysitter nanny. A granny nanny. Simone was by herself and needed a little moral support. I wanted people to take care of.’
    ‘Where was Simone’s husband?’
    Maggie’s face turned to stone, and she changed the subject. ‘I haven’t introduced you to Scott yet. Come.’
    Wednesday, December 4, 7.45 A.M.
    Joseph followed Maggie to the last stall in