The call was from his head of security.
Reyona listened to his terse response to the person on the call.
Then, just as he took the turn towards his estate, she felt her phone buzz.
She frowned as she saw that it was a message from Maxwell.
"We have a guest," it says.
She looked at the back of his head as she wondered why he couldn't just say that directly instead of sending it as a message.
She was about to ask him who it was when she looked beyond the windscreen and saw the police cruiser.
Her heart kicked against her rib and she looked downwards to check if the even-breathing Allysyn had slept off or something.
"Look, Max! The police!" Junior shouted excitedly as he pointed at the spot where the police officer was just turning away from the man he was speaking to, the head of security.
Allysyn's lax body went taut as she jerked upward, looked in the direction that Junior was pointing at, and then back at Reyona.
She had a mixture of fear, question and uncertainty in her face.
Reyona shook her head urgently, pulled her closer and whispered "You have nothing to worry about, okay?"
She nodded, though Reyona doubted she believed her.
Even before Maxwell parked, Reyona had already called Jane to come outside immediately.
As it was, Jane quickly ushered the kids inside while Maxwell helped Reyona down, and they faced the lone officer as the head of security bowed to them and excused himself.
"Good day, officer. To what do we owe this pleasure?" Maxwell went straight to the point.
"Good day, sir and ma'am." The officer responded. "I am Officer Shane. I am here because of Mrs Rohan." He said with a respectful nod at Reyona.
"Ma'am, it is to our knowledge that you are acquainted with Mr. Lanoth. Is that a valid assumption?"
Acquainted? Unexpected annoyance flared in Reyona.
She was sure they knew or would have already researched their whole history together and here he was trying to give her some crap.
"He was my ex-husband," she said tersely.
"Thanks for the clarification, ma'am. I am afraid I have bad news, ma'am. Mr. Lanoth was found in his mother's home by the neighbours and…."
Reyona simply stared at him as he continued talking. She was vaguely aware of Maxwell's supportive arm around her as the officer talked to her about her ex.
She was glad that Maxwell had not suggested they invite the man in. It would be better if everything ended here.
Her thumb found her ring finger and momentarily firmed against it as the man eventually got to what Reyona had guessed when she saw the cruiser.
His reason for coming.
Reyona stared at the dirty, folded note as the officer took it out.
She knew they would have read it.
That was why they came to her.
The paper blurred in her vision for a moment. Then she heard Maxwell's voice.
"Reyona"
She refocused and automatically collected the folded paper.
To the man, when he asked if the deceased had any family they could call to claim his body, she answered.
"No one. They are dead."
She turned around and went inside as she heard Maxwell bidding the man goodbye.
She tucked the note in her back pocket where it felt leaden as she went up to check on the kids.
She met Jane on the landing and the latter told her that Allysyn was taking a siesta.
Junior was already in the kitchen charming the cook.
Reyona thanked her and went to the kids' room.
Allysyn was curled up in bed with Skippy.
She had her back to the door.
The relaxed dog's head jerked upward as Reyona entered the room,
He looked from her to Allysyn as he let out a whimpering noise in his throat.
He seemed ready to bolt but in the next second, he slowly relaxed back against Allysyn.
Reyona wondered if the girl had said anything to him.
If she had, Reyona did not hear it.
In fact, Allysyn did not move at all as she lay rigidly on her side with her arm around Skippy.
"Allysyn" Reyona called as she gently sat at the edge of the bed.
She did not respond even though Reyona knew she was not asleep.
She gently rubbed her hand on the girl's hair and sighed softly.
Then she stood up to leave the girl for now.
"Is he gone?" Allysyn asked suddenly.
Reyona turned around as fast as she could. With her hands on her belly, she said "Yes, he is gone." Pause. "He came to officially tell us about it. Like I said, it has nothing to do with you. Nobody would bother you with things like that again."
Allysyn grew silent again.
Reyona looked at Skippy, who was quietly peeking at her from the crook of Allysyn's arm.
The girl probably needed the dog's company right now rather than the company of humans who had continuously shown her how unreliable they could be.
She should leave her alone for now.
She was almost at the door when she heard "What will happen to us now? Our mom is a criminal, and we don't have a dad."
"You have…" Reyona stopped herself.
There was no point in reminding the girl that they had a father when the so-called father had already made his stance known.
So she simply said, "We will always be here for you. For both of you. I want you to believe that."
*********
When she came out, Maxwell was waiting for her outside the door.
Without a word, he held her hand, and they went to his office.
He eased her into his chair and went to the bar to pour himself a drink.
He brought bottled water for her as well and poured it.
"Thank you," Reyona said with her gaze on the fireplace.
A thought tickled her mind as she stared at the mesmerising flame.
She removed the paper from her pocket and laid it on the table.
Silence reigned between them as she looked back at the fire again.
Maxwell's gaze never wavered from the paper as he said "Do you want to know what it says?"
Reyona looked back at him, "I don't want to, but I think I need to."
"Why?"
"I don't have the answer," Reyona said with a sigh. "Will you read it to me?"
Maxwell was silent for a moment before he said, "I really don't want to." Pause "But if that is what you want, I can do it for you."
"Hmm," Reyona said as she gave him a thoughtful look. She nodded to herself as she concluded. "Let's burn it."
"Are you sure?" Maxwell asked.
"I am," Reyona answered hesitantly. "Will you do it for me?"
"Sure", Maxwell said, and he picked the paper up.
He was a few steps away from the fireplace when he stopped.
He turned to her and said, "I think you will later regret that you did not know what it said."
"I think so too," she answered in an exasperated tone.
"I don't want you to have any regrets about him. I think you should know what it says. Then we can put this behind us forever."
"Okay," Reyona responded simply.
Maxwell unfolded it.