Chapter 14 - Nine O'Clock

The boardroom filled at eight fifty-eight.

Twelve directors. Three attorneys. Two auditors. Marcus at the far end of the table as if nothing had happened.

Mother insisted on attending.

So did Clara.

Marcus looked at her and smiled.

"Still here."

Clara sat beside Mother. "Get used to it."

I almost smiled.

At nine, Marcus stood.

"We have a governance crisis. Bennett has produced a suspicious document benefiting a household employee who now claims to be Henry Hale's daughter. Eleanor is gravely ill and, based on recent events, vulnerable to influence."

Mother raised one hand.

"Marcus."

He stopped.

"If you call me vulnerable one more time, I will use my remaining strength to hit you with this cane."

A few directors looked down to hide smiles.

Marcus's jaw tightened.

I distributed copies of the DNA report, June's sworn statement, and the codicil.

Then I played Father's recording.

Nobody moved.

Marcus waited until it ended.

"A recording can be fabricated."

Dana Cole entered through the rear door with two federal agents.

Marcus's face changed.

I said, "So can bank records. Medication labels. Security badges."

Dana placed a folder on the table.

"Mr. Marcus Hale, we have questions regarding witness intimidation, wire fraud, evidence tampering, and the death of Henry Hale."

Marcus did not panic.

He looked at me.

"You think this makes you safe?"

"No."

"You think Derek Voss will testify?"

"Maybe."

"You think June Mercer will survive cross-examination?"

Clara stood.

"You always talk like people are pieces on a board."

Marcus turned to her.

"Because they are."

"That's why you lose."

He laughed.

Then Mother spoke.

"No, Marcus. You lose because Henry made one copy you never knew about."

She held up the original codicil.

Marcus stared at it.

His face emptied.

For the first time in my life, I saw fear in my uncle.

He moved fast.

His hand shot inside his coat.

Two agents reached for him.

Clara pulled Mother's wheelchair back.

Marcus did not draw a gun.

He pulled out a lighter.

He lunged for the document.

I caught his wrist.

The lighter hit the table.

The room erupted.

Agents dragged him away as he shouted, "That paper destroys everything!"

I looked down.

The codicil was still intact.

Then Mother made a strange sound behind me.

Clara screamed.

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"Bennett!"

Mother had collapsed in her chair.