Chapter 6 - Richard Comes For The Papers
Dad called from downstairs.
I did not answer.
Then he texted.
Your mother stole private documents. Send her down.
I showed Mara, who was still on speaker.
“Do not let him inside.”
Building security had already been notified.
Dad made it past the lobby anyway because another resident held the door.
By the time the knock came, all three of us were standing behind my locked door.
“Claire.”
His voice was calm.
That frightened Lauren more than shouting would have.
“Open the door.”
Nobody moved.
“Deborah, this is ridiculous.”
My mother covered her mouth.
Dad knocked harder.
“You have documents that belong to me.”
I answered through the door.
“They’re with my attorney.”
Silence.
Then:
“What attorney?”
“The one preserving the recording from yesterday.”
I heard his breathing change.
“You are making a serious mistake.”
“No, Dad. I think I stopped making one.”
He hit the door with his palm.
Lauren jumped.
“Claire, you have no idea what you’re interfering with.”
“Then explain it.”
“I’m not discussing private financial matters in a hallway.”
“You wanted me to sell my home without discussing them.”
Another silence.
Then Dad did something unexpected.
He changed tone.
Completely.
“Claire, sweetheart.”
My skin crawled.
“We have all been under pressure.”
I looked at Mom.
She closed her eyes.
“Things became complicated after Fairmont.”
There it was.
The first admission.
I held the phone closer.
“How complicated?”
“You wouldn’t understand.”
“Try.”
“I was trying to protect this family.”
From behind me, Mom whispered, “Richard, stop saying that.”
Dad went quiet.
He had not realized she was close enough to hear.
Mom stepped toward the door but did not open it.
“You told me the loans would fix everything.”
“They would have.”
“You told me Lauren’s forms were school paperwork.”
“They were necessary.”
Lauren’s face changed.
Dad answered quickly.
“Lauren benefited from those accounts.”
“What accounts?” I asked.
No answer.
I looked at Lauren.
She looked sick.
Then my father made his final mistake.
“Claire, if you had just sold the condo when I asked, none of this would have needed to happen.”
The hall fell silent.
Mara’s voice came sharply through my speaker.
“Claire, do not respond.”
Dad heard her.
“Who is that?”
“Mara Ellison.”
There was a pause.
Long enough that I knew he recognized the name.
When Dad spoke again, the calm was gone.
“She represents Helen Avery.”
Mara said nothing.
Neither did I.
My father had just connected himself to a confidential matter he supposedly knew nothing about.
Then elevator doors opened down the hallway.
Two building security officers stepped out with a police officer I had called earlier on Mara’s advice.
Dad looked toward them.
For the first time in my life, I watched him realize that the room was no longer operating by his rules.
He left without being arrested.
May you like
That night.
The rest came later.
