"She's my mother," he said, his frown deepening as he pulled out the cash. He stared at it for a long minute. Then his gaze moved back to the envelope. "I've seen this before when I used to get the mail for my mom. She told me she was getting some financial support from a nonprofit group that helped single mothers."

"The Children's Support Network?"

"I guess that was it. But the address is here. It's this house." He shook his head in confusion. "I don't understand why your mother was sending my mother money."

"Neither one ever told you?" I asked.

"No, never," he said vehemently.

"There are several envelopes in the folder, all pre-addressed to your mom. But you haven't been a child in a long time. What are you—thirty?"

"Thirty-one," he said, his jaw turning to stone. "This makes no sense."

"Welcome to my world, where nothing makes sense."

"I need to speak to my mother."

"Maybe you should call her now."

He pulled out his phone, punched in a number, and then left the room.

I wanted to follow him. But it wasn't my business. Or was it? If my mother was sending his mother money, then I needed to know why.

I got up from the floor and walked to the door. I could hear Kade talking in the family room. I moved closer to the stairs so I could hear better.

"I don't understand," he said. "How long have you gotten the money? Do you know the person who sent it to you—Laura Hawthorne?" He paused. "You're seriously telling me you don't know her? No, we can't talk later. I need to know why a woman who has been supporting my art was also sending you money." He paused for several minutes. "You never heard the name Laura Hawthorne except from me? I don't understand." Silence followed his words, then he said, "It matters because Laura was shot yesterday, and someone broke into her house today. They're looking for something. And I don't like that suddenly you're in the middle of this. The police are trying to unravel Laura's life. I don't want you mixed up in whatever she's involved in." He paused. "I'm not going to calm down. This is serious, Mom." He let out a breath. "All right. Call me back."

As he finished his call, I made my way down the stairs. "Well?" I asked.