Chapter 10 - The Voice on the Recorder
Claire listened to her father argue with a dead man.
Samuel Bennett’s voice was sharp and furious.
“You don’t take money from men like Walter.”
Robert answered, younger, defensive.
“I borrowed it.”
“You sold him access.”
“To what?”
“To this family.”
Claire stared at Robert.
His face had collapsed inward.
The recording continued.
Samuel said, “I’m going to the authorities tomorrow.”
Robert said, “If you do that, he’ll destroy us.”
“Then we rebuild.”
“You don’t understand.”
“I understand exactly. You’re scared.”
Robert’s voice rose.
“I have children!”
“And what are you teaching them? That fear is an excuse?”
Then came a long silence.
Samuel spoke again, quieter.
“If I don’t make it home tomorrow, you tell Claire the truth.”
Claire’s throat tightened.
Robert whispered on the recording, “Why Claire?”
“Because she’ll do what you won’t.”
The audio ended.
Nobody spoke.
Claire sat down slowly.
Her grandfather had trusted her before she had become the person he thought she could be.
And her father had hidden that trust for seventeen years.
Robert covered his face.
“I couldn’t tell you.”
“You were supposed to.”
“I was ashamed.”
“That didn’t stop you from forging my signature.”
“No.”
Claire looked at him.
“Were you involved in Grandpa’s death?”
Robert dropped his hands.
“No.”
“Did you warn Walter he was going to the police?”
Robert’s silence answered before his words.
“Yes.”
Claire closed her eyes.
Marisol’s expression hardened.
Robert rushed on. “I didn’t know Walter would hurt him.”
“You knew enough to take money after.”
“I was terrified.”
Claire stood.
“I’m done listening to fear as if it’s a defense.”
She left the room.
In the hallway, Ethan waited.
He had heard enough through the door.
He looked furious.
“You knew?”
Claire shook her head.
“No.”
“Dad did.”
“Yes.”
Ethan sat against the wall.
“Everything in our family is fake.”
Claire sat beside him.
“Not everything.”
He gave her a bitter look.
“Name one thing.”
She took a breath.
“You stayed.”
He looked away.
“So did Mom.”
“That may not be a good thing.”
Claire could not argue.
A nurse approached from the end of the hall.
“Major Bennett?”
Claire stood.
“Your brother is asking for you.”
Mark was awake when they entered the hospital room.
Bruised, exhausted, but alert.
Ethan remained near the door.
Mark looked at him first.
“I’m sorry.”
Ethan’s face hardened.
“For which part?”
Mark swallowed.
“All of it.”
Claire said, “Tell us what you know about Grandpa.”
Mark glanced toward the guard outside.
Then back at Claire.
“Grandpa’s recorder wasn’t the only thing in Walter’s warehouse.”
“What else?”
Mark took a slow breath.
“A ledger.”
Claire waited.
Mark’s eyes shifted to Ethan.
“It shows every person Walter paid.”
May you like
Ethan frowned.
Mark said, “Mom’s name is in it.”
