Chapter 9 - What Margaret Saw
Margaret did not deny it this time.
She sat in Nathan's library with both hands wrapped around a cup of tea she never drank.
"Victoria was with Richard the night before Ethan died," she said.
Nathan felt something inside him go cold. "You saw them?"
"I heard them."
Grace stood near the fireplace, Lily asleep upstairs under guard.
Margaret continued. "Ethan had confronted Richard at the club. He threatened to go to the FBI. Victoria came here later and begged your father to stop him. She said Ethan would destroy both families."
"And Dad?"
"He told her he wouldn't hurt his son."
Grace's voice was sharp. "That's a low standard for parenting."
Margaret looked down.
"The next morning, I saw Victoria in the garage. She was speaking to Voss. She gave him an envelope."
Nathan stood. "And you said nothing after Ethan died?"
"I was afraid."
"You keep saying that like fear is a legal defense."
Margaret's face crumpled. "I know."
Grace stepped forward. "Did you know Victoria threatened me?"
"Not then. I found out later."
"How much later?"
"Two weeks after you left."
Grace stared at her.
"You could have found me."
"Yes."
"You could have told Nathan he had a niece."
"Yes."
"But you didn't."
Margaret's tears fell. "No."
Silence filled the room.
Then Nathan's security chief entered carrying a tablet.
"Sir, someone is at the south gate."
The camera showed Victoria standing alone in the rain.
No coat. No umbrella. Mascara streaked beneath her eyes.
She held a metal box against her chest.
Grace whispered, "The box from the study."
Nathan activated the gate speaker.
"What do you want?"
Victoria looked directly into the camera.
"I want protection."
Nathan almost laughed.
"From whom?"
Victoria clutched the box tighter.
"My father."
Then she lifted her free hand.
May you like
Blood covered her palm.
"Because he just tried to kill me too."
