Chapter 9 - Her Mother’s Warning
Richard sat down slowly.
“My wife hated Grant,” he said.
Claire stared at him. “You never told me that.”
“She didn’t hate him at first.”
“Dad.”
Richard rubbed both hands over his face. “Your mother believed he was using you.”
Claire’s eyes filled with anger. “And nobody thought I deserved to know?”
“She had no proof.”
“You had seven years to mention it.”
Richard did not defend himself.
Detective Bell placed the old gala photograph on the table.
“Vanessa says your mother confronted Grant that night. She accused him of falsifying numbers in a development fund.”
Claire’s breathing slowed.
“My mother died six months later.”
Bell nodded once. “I know.”
Richard stood. “No.”
“Mr. Hart—”
“No. Her death was investigated. A drunk driver crossed the center line.”
Bell’s eyes stayed steady. “The driver disappeared before trial.”
Richard’s face changed.
Claire whispered, “Dad?”
Richard looked toward the floor.
“He skipped bail.”
“You told me he went to prison.”
“I told you what your mother’s lawyer advised me to tell you. You were pregnant with Lily. You were falling apart.”
Claire felt betrayal pile on top of betrayal.
Bell said, “We are not saying Grant caused your mother’s death. We are saying Vanessa gave us information that justifies reopening parts of that investigation.”
Claire looked at the bruise on her own wrist.
Seven years.
How many warning signs had she renamed as stress, ambition, temper, pressure?
“Did Mom leave anything?” she asked.
Richard looked at her.
“A letter.”
Claire went very still.
“What letter?”
“She gave it to me a week before the crash. She said if anything happened to her, I should give it to you only if Grant ever tried to control the trust.”
Claire’s voice broke. “And where is it?”
Richard swallowed.
“In my safe.”
“Then go get it.”
He shook his head.
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because I checked the safe yesterday.”
Claire stared at him.
Richard’s next words came out almost soundless.
May you like
“The letter is gone.”
SOFT PINK
