Chapter 14 - Her Own Voice
Nobody moved when the recording ended.
My mother sat perfectly still.
Her attorney whispered something to her.
She didn’t answer.
Victor’s voice came next on the recording.
“What exactly are you asking me to do?”
My mother replied, “I am asking you to make sure there is no camera when I speak to her.”
“Why?”
“Because if she refuses again, I may have to make a decision Nathan won’t forgive.”
The courtroom seemed to shrink.
The judge denied my mother’s request to remove me from company control.
Outside, reporters shouted questions.
I ignored all of them.
Claire was waiting at home.
When I showed her the transcript, she read it without speaking.
Finally, she said, “She planned something. Maybe not every detail, but she planned something.”
“Yes.”
“And still walked into that house afterward and told everyone I slipped.”
I nodded.
Claire’s eyes hardened.
“I don’t want our daughter growing up around people who teach her that love means control.”
“She won’t.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise.”
That evening, the prosecutor obtained a warrant for my mother’s arrest on charges connected to the balcony incident and conspiracy.
Police went to her home.
She was gone.
Her phone was on the kitchen counter.
Her passport was in the safe.
One suitcase was missing.
So was her personal car.
“She knew,” Daniel said.
“Someone warned her.”
“Who?”
We found out at 11:40 p.m.
Samuel Pierce, my father’s old attorney, called me.
His voice shook.
“Nathan, I need to tell you something before the police do.”
“What happened?”
“Your mother came to my office.”
“When?”
“An hour ago.”
“Why?”
“She wanted the original contingency trust.”
“Did you give it to her?”
“No.”
“Then where is she?”
“I don’t know.”
A pause.
Then he said, “But she left something behind.”
“What?”
“A note.”
He read it aloud.
Nathan took my family from me. I’m going to take something from him.
My heart stopped.
May you like
I turned toward the bedroom.
Claire wasn’t there.
