Chapter 13 - The Signature Trap
Hannah wanted police at the mansion immediately.
Detective Ruiz refused to rush the door.
"We have medical evidence and threats. Good. We need the people behind them tied to the acts. If we move too early, Dominic claims Claire acted alone. Merritt claims a clerical error. Everybody walks into separate courtrooms blaming everybody else."
"My brother is being threatened."
"Which is why a detective is sitting outside his door right now."
Hannah hated patience when someone she loved was in danger.
Nicholas hated it more.
Claire placed the guardianship withdrawal, civil marriage license, amended power of attorney, and a voting proxy on the desk in front of him.
"Just sign where I marked," she said.
Nicholas let his hand tremble.
"Too much."
"I'll help you."
She guided the fountain pen toward the line.
Nicholas dropped it.
"Sorry."
Claire picked it up.
"Again."
"Tomorrow."
The smile disappeared.
"No. Tonight."
Nicholas looked at her.
"Why are you in such a hurry?"
For a fraction of a second Claire saw him clearly.
Not confused.
Not sedated.
Watching her.
She stepped back.
"You haven't taken your evening medication."
"I don't think I will."
Claire's face hardened.
"Where is Hannah?"
"Fired. Remember?"
"Don't play with me."
"I've been wondering when you'd stop playing with me."
Claire slapped the papers off the desk.
"You would be dead without me."
Nicholas's voice stayed quiet.
"That seems to be the problem."
Claire stared at him.
Then she called someone.
"He's not taking it," she said. "Come now."
Across town, Hannah listened through the hidden camera feed.
"That's Dominic," Walter said.
Ruiz stood.
"We move when he arrives."
Hannah grabbed her coat.
"I'm coming."
"No."
"He trusts me."
"You're a civilian."
"I'm his nurse, and Claire's entire plan depends on making him look medically incompetent. I can identify every medication in that room."
Ruiz stared at her.
"You stay behind officers and you do exactly what I say."
"Fine."
"That sounded like a lie."
"It wasn't a good one."
Back at the mansion, Dominic arrived through the side entrance.
Nicholas heard voices outside the study.
Claire entered alone.
She was no longer smiling.
"Last chance," she said.
"No."
"Sign."
"No."
Claire shoved the wheelchair backward.
Nicholas struck the edge of the desk, lost balance, and went down hard onto the marble foyer beyond the study.
The wheelchair tipped beside him.
Claire followed.
"You ungrateful bastard."
Nicholas wiped blood from his mouth.
"There she is."
Claire raised her hand.
At that exact moment, Hannah came through the foyer carrying a medication tray as if she had never been fired.
The slap landed.
May you like
Claire raised her hand again.
And Hannah caught her wrist.
