Chapter 4 - The Name in the Ledger
The darkness lasted three seconds, but in those seconds Mara heard the scrape of a door, the quick intake of Charlotte’s breath, and Solomon saying Jennifer’s name like a warning. Then the emergency lights blinked on, washing the entryway in a pale blue glow. Theo began crying upstairs.
Mara ran toward the staircase. Solomon caught her arm.
“Wait,” he said. She tore free.
“Move.” He reached for her again, but Charlotte stepped between them. Her composure had vanished.
“Let her go to the child.” Mara took the stairs two at a time. Theo sat upright in bed, clutching his dinosaur blanket.
His night-light had gone dark, and his face was wet with tears.
“Mommy, the house forgot the lights.” “It’s all right.” Mara gathered him into her arms.
“I’m here.” Behind her, the hallway camera clicked as power returned. On the security app, a new alert appeared: privacy mode activated manually.
Mara’s heart pounded. Someone had turned the cameras off during the blackout. She carried Theo into the guest room and locked the door.
“Stay here while I make a call.” “Is Daddy mad?” “Daddy is confused.” Theo pressed his face into her shoulder.
“Grandma said we had to help Daddy find the papers because if we didn’t, he would go away.” Mara closed her eyes.
“Did she say that?” “She said it was a secret for keeping families together.” The words made Mara feel sick.
She had told Theo he never had to carry adult secrets, and now she understood how long he had been carrying this one. She called her closest friend, Nia Calder, who had been a family-law attorney before leaving private practice to work in financial investigations.
Nia answered on the second ring.
“Tell me you’re somewhere safe,” Nia said.
“I’m in the guest room with Theo.
Solomon forged my signature on a loan application, and his mother just said his father was murdered.” Nia did not waste time asking whether Mara was certain.
“Take Theo and leave through the garage.” “The garage camera is disconnected.” “Then do not use the garage. Is there another adult with you?” “Charlotte and Solomon.” “Do not tell them where you’re going.
I’m sending you the name of an investigator. Her office is ten minutes from my apartment. Can you get there?” “Yes.” “Take the title documents, the phone, and anything that proves the camera shutdowns. Do not confront them again.” Mara looked at Theo.
“I need to know what is in the blue folder.” “You can find out after you are safe.” “Nia—”“Mara, listen to me. This is no longer a marriage problem.
It is a financial crime, possible coercion, and whatever happened to Victor Reed. Get Theo out.” Mara ended the call and placed the phone in her pocket. She opened the guest-room closet and pulled out a canvas bag. Theo was old enough to follow instructions, but not old enough to understand why his mother was whispering.
“We’re going on a little trip,” she said.
“Can I bring Stegosaurus?” “Of course.” They reached the hallway before Solomon appeared at the far end. His face was pale, and his shirt collar was open.
“Where are you going?” “To get air.” “At night? With Theo?” “You don’t get to decide where I take my son.” Solomon looked at Theo.
“Buddy, come here.” Theo tightened his arms around Mara’s neck. The rejection wounded Solomon, but the wound became anger almost immediately.
“You’re frightening him.” “You frightened him when you told him to keep your affair secret.” Charlotte appeared behind Solomon.
“Mara, you are making a terrible mistake.” “The mistake was trusting all of you.” Charlotte lowered her voice.
“If you leave with those documents, people will come after you.” “Who?” Charlotte’s gaze shifted toward the study.
“People who are not as patient as we have been.” Mara understood then that Charlotte’s fear was real. It did not absolve her.
It made her more dangerous. She backed toward the stairs.
“What happened to Victor?” Charlotte’s mouth trembled.
“He found out what Gideon was doing.” “What was my father doing?” “Protecting himself.” Solomon said, “Mother, stop.” Charlotte rounded on him.
“You promised me she would never know.” The words struck the room silent. Mara held Theo closer.
“Never know what?” Outside, a car engine started. Jennifer’s red hair flashed through the front window as she ran toward the street.
Solomon looked at the window, then at Mara.
“She has the folder.” Mara’s blood chilled.
“Where?” “Jennifer took it from the study.” “You said you didn’t know what it was.” He had no answer. Mara turned toward the front door.
“I’m calling the police.” Solomon lunged. Charlotte caught his sleeve, but he pulled free.
His hand closed around Mara’s shoulder. Theo screamed. A horn blared outside. Headlights swept across the walls.
Nia’s investigator, a broad-shouldered woman named Rhea Bell, stepped onto the porch and held up a phone.
“Let her go,” Rhea called.
“The police are already on the way.” Solomon released Mara. Rhea entered only when Mara nodded.
May you like
She positioned herself between them and guided Mara toward the door. As Mara crossed the threshold, her phone vibrated. A message came from Jennifer’s hidden number. You think the affair is the betrayal.
Ask your father why Victor Reed died. A second message followed. Then ask him what he did to your mother.
