Chapter 12 - Thomas Mason
Detective Ortiz traced the email through a privacy service and got nowhere.
But Emily recognized the clipping when Claire forwarded it.
“I’ve seen that article,” Emily said. “Thomas sent it to Grant years ago.”
“Grant said his father never contacted him.”
“He lied. Or Diane convinced him the contact was dangerous.”
Emily gave Claire a number for Thomas Mason.
He lived in New Mexico.
Claire stared at the number for ten minutes before calling.
An older man answered.
“Hello?”
“Mr. Mason?”
“Yes.”
“My name is Claire.”
Silence.
Then: “Grant’s wife?”
Claire swallowed. “Yes.”
Thomas exhaled slowly.
“I wondered if this call would ever come.”
Claire put him on speaker with Ortiz’s permission.
Thomas spoke for nearly an hour.
When Grant was eleven, Diane filed for divorce and accused Thomas of violent instability.
Thomas denied it.
He underwent court-ordered evaluation.
The physician who provided supporting documentation for Diane was a young Dr. Richard Keller, then working at a community clinic.
Thomas later discovered Keller and Diane had known each other socially for years.
“But why would he risk his career?” Claire asked.
Thomas laughed without humor. “People don’t usually begin with career-ending crimes. They begin with favors.”
A phrase here.
A concern there.
A note written stronger than the facts supported.
By the time Thomas understood what was happening, Diane had built a story around him.
He lost unsupervised access to Grant.
Then Diane moved.
Letters came back.
Phone numbers changed.
Grant grew up believing his father chose to disappear.
“Did you ever confront Keller?” Ortiz asked.
“Yes.”
“What happened?”
Thomas became quiet.
“I ended up in the hospital.”
Claire looked at the clipping.
“Because you attacked him?”
“No.”
Thomas’s voice hardened.
“Because Diane told police I threatened her. I panicked when officers arrived. Keller told them I was unstable. I was held for evaluation.”
Claire closed her eyes.
Same structure.
Different decade.
Thomas continued, “There’s something else you need to know.”
Claire opened her eyes.
“What?”
“Grant contacted me six months ago.”
The room went silent.
May you like
Claire whispered, “Why?”
Thomas answered, “He wanted to know how his mother won custody.”
