Joe’s presence was helpful. For the next few weeks, he sat with her in the evening when Neve was asleep. They talked, sometimes about the search and other times, about Sky’s childhood. The day Maeva feared the most came on a Sunday morning. Maeva was feeding Neve and having her coffee. Joe was still sleeping or just relaxing in the attic. A strong knock was heard at the door. Yvonne and Maeva looked at each other. They both felt something was wrong. Yvonne went to the door.

 

“Is Mrs Maeva Hawthorne here? We have a search warrant for the premises.”, said a man with a long coat over a suit accompanied by four coppers.

 

“Mrs. Maeva?”, Yvonne called out. Maeva didn’t move from her seat.

 

“Can you bring me the warrant please, Yvonne?”, she spoke loud enough for the coat man to hear her. He handed a couple papers to Yvonne. She closed the door and locked it before coming up and giving the papers to Maeva, still drinking her coffee. Maeva put the papers on the table, wrinkled them out flat and read. She had never stopped them from the domain buildings except those attached to the house and the guest house that Victor and Yvonne occupied. She looked at Yvonne with an apologetic expression.

 

“I am so sorry. They will also be searching the guest house.”. Joe came running down the stairs and down the hall.

 

“Joe, can you quickly pick up my computer and cord, as well as yours and take the same way to leave as when you came, please?”, he nodded, turned back quickly and went up running. Maeva thought she must try to let stop them from coming in until she reached her lawyer. She knew they would do whatever they could to come in. They had all rights given by the search warrant. She was not afraid but didn’t like anyone going through their things. She also knew they usually left the place in complete disorder. Her computer contained her notes, novels and the one she was working on presently. She was under contract to keep them confidential. They were also in a secured cloud, but she was not obliged to divulge that. It was not in her home. Next, she called her lawyer. She updated him.

 

“Did they know Joe was there?”, he asked.

 

“I didn’t hide it! But, no, I didn’t outright tell them.”, she answered.

 

“OK, if they ask, you say the truth down to what road he used. They will also ask you about your computer. And from now on, we can’t use your land line as a mode of communication. I am sure they will listen in, they are listening in.”. Maeva got the message.

 

“I use many computers. So does Sky.”, she stopped there.

 

“Are they asking for your cell in the search warrant?”

 

“No. But they already have it.”

 

“Can you find a way to send the search warrant to me? My studio has an old fax.”, Maeva executed this right away and ran back down. She heard them knocking at the door while she was doing this and signaled to Yvonne to not open yet. She could see Yvonne was nervous.

 

“I sent them to you.”

 

“OK. Yea, good. Just received them. I will try to read them as quickly as I can and will text you to let them enter, or not. Then will call you back, OK?”. He hung up. Maeva looked at Yvonne.

 

“We need to wait for Gerald’s OK.”, she said. The baby kept on trying to pick up her finger food. That kept her occupied. Maeva needed to think what she would do while they searched. Neve would be bothered or scared. She knew the baby would base her feelings on hers. She had to remain calm. She gave some fruit pieces to Neve and whispered sweet nothings, kissing her cheek. Neve giggled. What would she do without her, she thought. The phone rang.

 

“All seems correct. Whatever they ask you for, text me before accepting or commenting.”

 

“OK. I will.”

 

“Open the door, Yvonne.”, Yvonne went to the door and unlocked it. The door opened and the coat man barged and the coppers followed. The man came up the stairs and saw Maeve at the island. He walked towards her.

 

“Can you take your shoes off please? Be aware I am with my daughter. Make this amiable please. I wouldn’t want her to be traumatized and be afraid of coppers for the rest of her life.”, she said with a smile. That stopped him in his tracks. He took off his shoes and gave them to one of the officers that followed him. The officer picked the with the tip of his fingers and looked uncomfortable. The investigator walked more slowly towards her and spoke with a soft but commanding voice.

 

“Mrs. Maeva Hawthorne, I have a search warrant for these premises as well as any building attached to it. Also, we will need all security camera recordings for the last 6 months and the guest house and all outside buildings on this property will also be searched. There is a different team there right now. I suggest Yvonne and you take your daughter and sit in our police cruiser until we are done.”, he was already showing her towards the door.

 

“That will not be appropriate for a baby. Let me contact my lawyer.”, she called Gerald.

 

“Hello Gerald. They are asking me to go sit in the police cruiser with Neve until the search is over. This will be too long for Neve. She is having her breakfast right now.”, she put the phone on speaker.

 

“I am Gerald Watson, from Watson and Emery Law firms. I represent the Hawthornes, Officer? I didn’t get your name….”, said Gerald.

 

“Detective-Investigator Charles Spader. I have…”, Gerald cut him off.

 

“Yes, I have the warrant in front of me. You must know that as Mrs. Hawthorne is not a suspect, but more so a victim, and is in the presence of a minor, more so a baby, you need to provide her with a comfortable space where she will have access to the accessories needed for the care of the child.”, Gerald paused. Maeva could see the lieutenant’s face change to a bright red.

 

“We do not have those accommodations available, Mr. Watson.”, the coat man said.

 

“Well then, you cannot proceed with the search until you provide an area approved by Mrs. Hawthorne.”, Gerald waited. The lieutenant retracted downstairs to the porch, the officer following him, still awkwardly holding on to his boss’s shoes. He made a few phone calls. Gerald stayed on the phone with Maeva until he received another call. He said he would call her back. A few minutes after, he called back.

 

“They will not search right now. They will come back with a courtesy motorhome.”

 

The coat man walked back up and towards Maeva.

 

“We will be back with a motorhome for you to wait in. As soon as it’s ready, we will be here. Do not touch or change anything in your house.”, he said, but you could see he knew he had no right to ask this of Maeva. It was her property. He left with his officers, the younger one still holding the shoes. It was his turn to be red-faced.

 

“They are gone, Gerald. Thank you.”, she breathed out loudly, relieved.

 

“Good. No use waiting for them. Do you have somewhere you could visit for awhile?”, he inquired.

 

“I could go to Joe’s.”, she answered.

 

“Go. I will text you when to come back. Just a day or two.”, he said.

 

“What if Sky comes back?”

 

“It is his home. He will know what to do.”, he said. “Leave Maeva. For your daughter’s sake. You could also ask Victor and Yvonne to stay in the farmhouse for you.”, he hung up.

 

Maeva looked at Yvonne.

 

“Can you pack a suitcase for Neve and myself? For about three days. You can take a few days off, until they search the house. You and Victor will have so much to do to put your house  and this one in order again. Gerald will let me know when the search is done.”, she called Joe. She hoped he waited around somewhere on the road.

 

“Hello Maeva?”, he answered quickly.

 

“Can I stay at your place a couple days?”, she asked, anxiously.

 

“Yes, sure. I am at the café downtown. I will come back. I will leave the motorcycle at the rental place and pick up my car. I should be picking you up in an hour. Is that ok?”, he said, he was already texting Kay as well as talking to Maeva.

 

“Neve and I will be ready. Thank you Joe.”

Their time spent at Joe’s was a godsend. Neve had so many arms to be carried about with or run with. There was always someone taking over from the other and everyone wanted to show her some new game, color or scenery. Kay was kind to her and made sure Maeva had all she needed. She was warm and affectionate. It made Maeva feel protected and loved. But the heaviness of Sky’s absence remained. Joe had returned her computer and she started writing again. She had deadlines to respect. It was a good thing that she could still write. She usually entered into her storyline when she wrote, so it kept her mind from wandering off to thoughts of Sky. It had been three days and no news from Gerald yet. She wondered if he had bothered to let the investigator know the house was empty and there would be no need of a recreation vehicle for them. She didn’t use her regular email to communicate; she made a new one and used only Kay’s or Joe’s computers to send any mail and documents. She bought herself a new phone, an Android one, so she would not need to use her regular provider account.

 

 

One evening, while they were all lounging about the living room and chatting, Maeva remembered she brought the jewelry she had custom made for them awhile back. She was quiet entering the guest room where Neve was already sleeping. Joe had asked for a ring just like Sky’s cufflink and ring, with the family crest. Naturally, she had asked Sky first, to see if it was ok. There would always be a difference in their rings as Sky’s was engraved inside with their initials ‘S & M” and their wedding date. He didn’t mind at all. It was his brother after all. Kate had asked for a Tahitian pearl bracelet, necklace and earrings set. At the time, Maeva wondered if Kay knew the value of what she requested. Perfect Tahitian pearls were extremely expensive. Between three hundred to five hundred dollars for one. She ran it by Sky as she didn’t have the funds to spend that much. He told her to go ahead and try to find the number of pearls she needed to make the set. It had taken her awhile to find them. The quantity she needed was only available at Perla’s in Montreal, Quebec. Also, there were only AA’s, not AAA’s. This meant a fifty percent less than she had previously budgeted. The design she had created for the set used a lot of sterling silver wire, some gold and some very intricate work on her part. Once done, Sky was amazed at the quality of the pieces. Maeva made her findings herself. All handmade, nothing bought from an external shop. She had the ring in a black velvet box.

 

“Here you go Joe. I hope it is up to your expectations.”, she gave him the box and started to take out the other boxes from her tote bag. Joe opened the box, looked at the ring with an amazed expression. Kay got up to go to him while he was putting it on.

 

“Wow Maeva”, she said taking Joe’s hand to look more closely at the ring. “You are just so good. It is true you didn’t make a workshop at the domain? Don’t you want to continue? It would be a shame for you to stop.”, said Kate.

 

“Here are your boxes, Kay.”, she handed her three boxes. Kay took them and sat back down next to Maeva.

 

“Which one should I open first?”. She looked at her sis-in-law for an answer.

 

“I would open the square box.” Maeva pointed to the box she referred to. Kay slowly opened it and Maeva saw her whole face express utter amazement.

 

“Joe! Can you believe this? Look at it!”, Kay said in complete awe. “It is more than beautiful Maeva. You made all of it?”, she asked.

 

“Yes, down to the fine silver pearls that are use as spacers. Naturally, the Tahitian pearls are made by nature itself. I was just very lucky to fin them. Now open the other boxes.”, Maeva knew the other pieces were equally beautiful.

 

 

 

 

It was early morning when Maeva woke up in Joe and Kate’s guest room. It was so much warmer in this part of England. The south wind was blowing, and she had left the window cracked open. The air was different here. The outside noises were also cars screeching and heavy traffic mixed with some sweet little birds chippering. Her mind went directly to Sky. Sadness engulfed her. She looked at Neve. ‘Sleeping like a baby’ was really a thing, wasn’t it, she thought. Her heart filled with love thinking that at least she had her to continue living for. For some reason, at this point in time, she was sure Sky had passed. She cried for awhile. Dried her tears and started her day.

 

That was the day Gerald called. It had taken five days for Gerald to call Joe who gave him Maeva’s new cell number.

 

“Maeva! Gerald. Are you doing, OK? I know it took longer than expected. They are done. You will need to call Yvonne to see if your house is now habitable.”, he announced.

 

“Oh, that’s great. I do want to go home. Not that they didn’t take care of me here. They are so nice and patient. And I had a good time talking about Sky’s childhood with Joe. But I miss my things and my home.”, Maeva said.

 

“They didn’t send me a list of what was taken as evidence, but according to British Law, they have two days to do so. I will call you when I receive it.”

 

“Thank you, Gerald. Talk to Joe about invoicing, OK? As Sky’s contract lawyer, he has power of attorney for now.”, Maeva informed Gerald.

 

“Maeva, as Sky’s wife, in a situation like this, you receive an automatic power of attorney. You will have as much power as Joe. You should apply for it. I can help you.”, said Gerald.

 

“I had no idea. Joe would know that, wouldn’t he?” she asked.

 

“Well, yes. He is a lawyer and he also studied as a notary.”

 

“Why did he not inform me?”, she asked.

 

“I wouldn’t know that, Maeva. He might have wanted to wait a little, he might have overlooked it. Sky is his brother, so he is also anxious, I am sure.”, said Gerald. “Joe has always been Sky’s contracts, deals and property paper lawyer and he is very good at it. One of the best, actually. But Sky retained me to be your lawyer if ever anything happened to him. He did that in writing in a contract. It was in effect before you got married and never ends.  There is even a clause that indicates who I should pass on the file to, in case of illness or death. He didn’t want you to be told about it, unless my services became necessary. Would you like me to start the application for your automatic matrimonial power of attorney?”, asked Gerald.

 

“Well, yes please. So, about your fee? Who will pay you? Me?”. She asked.

 

“Well, yes. But you already did. Sky retained me with a hefty sum for many, many hours. I will be sending statements with the number of hours that was done on your case. I also have the contract, and Sky should have his copy in his safe.”, he said.

 

“Sky has a safe? I didn’t know.”, she was surprised.

 

“If it is not at home, it is probably at the bank.”, said Gerald.

“Well, I don’t need to go to his safe, nor his bank. There is an automatic amount deposited in an account for the domain’s expenses and, I have an amount deposited to take care of all Neve’s needs and my own. I also make my own money. But Can I find out what bank he uses? I don’t even know that. It is so silly. I use online banking, I assume he does also, but he also had Joe do most transactions for him. Joe is on a yearly salary for his work for Sky. What will happen now, with Sky absent?”, she was really curious about that.

 

“That is a good question. His bank I know as I am getting paid, also by automatic deposits. You should be able to find that out easily if you are receiving deposits yourself. As for Joe, payments will probably continue as the domain’s expenses. Whatever Sky was doing, wherever he was on location, all his bills and employees needed to get paid regularly, so all was to be done automatically.”, he seemed to know what he was talking about.

 

“But what if an employee would miss a day, be sick for a few days, was fired or resigned?”, she asked, perplexed.

 

“We would need to ask Sky about this. It usually works just like a hierarchy-type business. You have approvals given by each managerial levels up to the top, with was Joe, or Skye. You will have to excuse me I have someone waiting for a meeting with me. Please call me to let me know you are home. Only with your new cell, OK?”, he hung up.

 

Well, Maeva had no one to help her here. She would have to make her own luggage. She got too it. Neve was sleeping soundly in the king bed. Then, she remembered she should call Yvonne.

 

“Hello Yvonne. How are you?”

 

“Oh Mrs. Maeva. How I have missed hearing your voice.”, said Yvonne who seemed in good spirits.

 

“Were you able to take a few days off. Yes, we were able to during the search of the farmhouse. They did our house the day they should have done yours, so we had time to get everything back in order and have a good 2 days before they started the farmhouse search. And then, it was mostly Victor that was following them around the house, and I stayed in the kitchen watching whatever they did around me. But, at least I got to meal prep, which I never have time to do and, I have made bread and prepared family casseroles and lasagnas, shepherd’s pie, all in the freezer for you to take out whenever you need to.”, announced Yvonne.

 

“You are a darling, but you were supposed to relax and take time off.”

 

‘Mrs. Maeva. My work with your family is just ordinary family life and, it is relaxing and wonderful. Vacation can be nice, but Victor and I like to be with you, Sky and Neve. You are our family.”, said Yvonne softly.

 

“That is so nice to hear this. Thank you, Yvonne.”, Maeva was touched. “Did you have a lot of work putting the house back in order?”, she asked concerned.

 

“Victor was there to help, and it took only a couple of hours. They took a few things. I noted them. Your surveillance camera, the whole machine, is just gone. They pulled the wiring from the wall. They also left with two computer, and three tablets. All your desk drawers in your studio are now empty, and they took all the contents. They went through your jewelry; I stood over the officer while he was doing it. I locked all the drawers immediately after. Same for Sky’s watches and jewelry drawer. They went through all the pockets of Mr. Sky’s suits and your purses. Looked at the soles of every pair of shoes, took a few of them.”, Yvonne didn’t say anything about Sky’s office. Was it possible they didn’t ask to see it? Her mind was always aware of the possibility of someone listening to her conversation. So, she didn’t ask. She was certain that after this search, the farmhouse and the guest house would be bugged. She needed to let Yvonne know, somehow.

 

“Did they mess your house any? Oh, I was reading a novel last night. There was a quote that I remember from it ‘The dense forest, heavy with foliage drapes and virgin sound absorbing soil, is the only place you can ever guarantee privacy’. Isn’t it lovely? Neve and I are coming home today. I will call back later.”, Maeva hung up, hoping Yvonne got the message. Maeva finished Neve’s luggage while her daughter was still sleeping. She called Sky’s preferred driver for long distances. He accepted the job. He was from a enterprise, but he always put Sky first and had never refused anything Sky asked for. He had used him for many years. She was just wondering what to tell him about Sky. She would just say he was on location somewhere. That was the easiest way to not alert the press. She did trust him, but not for that type of thing. She went to join Kate and Joe for breakfast and coffee. They served her a hot latte, which she loved.

 

“Did you sleep, OK?”, Kate always inquired about her sleep and Maeva always lied.

 

“Great, thank you.”, Maeva looked at her cell as she heard a noise. Neve was mumbling in her sleep. She had connected a baby monitor to her cell. It worked great. It would practical when she would be traveling. If she ever would.

 

“That coffee is so good Kate. I needed that.”, Maeva sat on a chair that gave a view of the backyard where their boys were playing. “Did they already have their breakfast? They get up early, don’t they?”.

 

“We are all early risers here. We like it.”, Kate looked her watch. “I will have to get them ready for school, but I love that they get some play time before getting into the grit of school rules.”

 

“Yes, it is lovely.”, Maeva looked at the white fenced yard, not more than ten by ten meters. It was quite a different life from the life on the domain. She felt privileged although she knew Joe made quite a lot of money and they were very well-off. The house was the big piece. This was more important to them than a big yard. Strangely, the front yard was larger as the house was far away from the road. In this neighborhood, the extravagance of your landscape and front garden was the social demographic indicator. Maeva laughed internally. Her garden was beautiful but was mostly composed of wildflowers and some hand planted field bushes. Kate had gone out of her way to find the rarest type of trees, bushes and perennials she could find. She had the biggest magnolia Maeva had ever seen. Lovely.

 

“I want to thank you for the hospitality you showed me and Neve and I would stay longer but, the farmhouse was searched and Yvonne and Victor have it back in order. We will be leaving today before lunch. Sky’s driver will pick us up.

 

“Oh, Maeva! I love having you here. It is quite selfish, really. I get to speak with my friend almost all day instead of only being an arbiter between two fighting boys. Please come back, whenever you want to, need to. You know, I also miss being close to Neve, my only niece. I so want a close relationship with her.’, Kate was sincerely upset. She had tears in her eyes.

 

“We will be back Kate, I promise. Neve also needs to get to know her aunt and uncle. I’d like you to remember that you are also welcome to the farmhouse as often as you want. We have the room and the boys will love helping out with the barn animals and even get to learn horseback riding. This is what Sky was hoping for.”, said Maeva.

 

“You are keeping all the staff? And the horses?”, asked Joe who had not uttered a word until now.

 

“Everything stays as Sky wants it.”, Marva answered firmly.

 

“It is expensive to keep that domain going and without the amounts Sky brings in, I am afraid you might not be able to keep it.”, he said. Maeva didn’t think she needed to get into the talk she wanted to have with him about what Gerald said right now, in front of Kate.

 

“Then, I will keep it running as long as I can. Don’t you believe Sky will be back?”, she looked at him, waiting for his answer. Kate saw the change in Maeva and also looked at her husband. Joe was taken aback by the direct question.

 

“Well, yes, for sure. But, as a lawyer, I always nee to see all possible outcomes. And that is for you and, Neve’s well-being.”, he said nervously.

 

“Thank you, Joe, but no changes, please.”, Maeva smiled her kind smile. Her internal feelings were different.

 

“Can I make you anything to eat Maeva?”, asked Kate, trying to get things casual again.

 

“I’d like to wait for neve, if it’s ok. We have time as the driver should be here only around eleven.”, said Maeva. She looked at her cell again. “She’s up. I’ll go get her ready for breakfast.”, she went to the guest room. Knowing the information given to her by Gerald, she now was totally aware that Joe was omitting, lying on his role in Sky’s legal affairs. She was fuming but calmed herself down for neve.

 

Neve was sitting up in bed looking at her mom with a smile. This child was constantly happy. She didn’t know how she was as a child. Her parents passed away and she couldn’t remember them saying anything to that effect. Sky did say he was a moody child.

 

“Hey Nevie, how are you baby? Did you sleep well?”, asked Maeva. Neve babbled away some word and said ‘Mama’. She had been practicing saying more and more words. ‘Papa’ and ‘Mama’ were her favorites these days. Neve breastfed for awhile, and than Maeva changed her diaper, washed her a little to freshen her up and put on a long sleeve shirt with a jumper over it, some socks and combed her beautiful wheat blond curls. Her hair reminded Maeva of Sky’s. The texture of them. The silkiness and curls. She picked her up, kissed her cheek and went to the kitchen with her. Joe was gone but Kate had just put the boys on the school bus.

 

“Oh, the beautiful angel is up. How are you, Neve?”, said Kate, holding out her arms to hold her. Maeva just passed her on to Kate. She knew Kate was true to her feelings. Kate put a bib on Neve. Maeva started to make Neve’s breakfast; a brown bread toast with some type of protein. Today was cream cheese. She added a little butter on the toast for Neve’s fat requirements. She cut the toast in four pieces and put it on the table where Kate was sitting with the child on her lap. She offered a piece to Neve who took it with her chubby little hands and started taking four toothed bites from it, also playing with the toast.

 

“You know you will need to change, right?”, said Maeva meaning Kate’s clothes would get smeared with cream cheese and oily butter. Kate nodded she didn’t care. Maeva made herself the same thing and ate slowly, with no appetite. Kate was looking at her, she could feel it.

 

“You lost a lot of weight Maeva. I don’t care for people’s size. I don’t judge. But this is not you, Maeva. It shows you are not doing well.”, she said gently.

 

“How would you be Kate, in my situation?”, Maeva said taking a sip of her now cold coffee. Kate smiled sadly. She didn’t need to answer. They both knew.

 

“I am concerned for you.”, Kate said after a few minutes of silence. They were both watching Neve grab pieces of toast and destroying them by smashing them on the table.

 

“I am being the best way I can given the circumstances. I will keep going. I have Neve to take care of. She might be the only part of him I keep. I will take care for her, you do not have to worry.”, Maeva put the last piece of toast in her mouth. Kept on drinking the coffee. Kate smiled at her and helped Neve with the last piece of toast. Even if she had turned everything into mush, the child still gobbled everything up.