Chapter 8 - For Whoever Helps Them Laugh Again
Rebecca’s third letter began with a greeting to a stranger. Hello. I don’t know your name. I don’t know whether you are a teacher, a friend, a woman Adrian falls in love with, or somebody who simply arrives at the right time.
Claire stopped reading. Adrian stood completely still. She continued. Rebecca wrote that if Lily trusted this person, they needed to understand the gift. Lily loved with her entire body. She would hold a hand as if letting go could change the universe. Please don’t promise never to leave, Rebecca wrote. No human being can promise that. Promise to tell the truth. Promise that love is real even when life changes. And if Adrian is standing near you pretending he doesn’t need anything, he is lying.
Claire laughed. Adrian looked offended. “She really did know you.” “Apparently.” The final lines were harder. Thank you for making my family’s world larger than the room where they lost me. Please don’t feel guilty for being alive with them. I don’t.
Claire lowered the letter. The study felt strangely full, as if a dead woman had made room rather than taken it. “I’ve been scared of her,” Claire admitted. Adrian turned. “Rebecca?” “Not her. The idea of her. I kept thinking there was a shape I would never fit because somebody extraordinary had already filled it.” Adrian walked toward her. “You’re not supposed to fit it.” Claire nodded. “I know that now.” “Then what are you supposed to fit?” “My own place.” “And where is that?” Claire’s voice was almost a whisper. “I don’t know yet.”
Adrian stopped directly in front of her. “Claire, I’m trying very hard not to make a mistake.” “That is not particularly romantic.” “I haven’t done this in fifteen years.” “Done what?” “Wanted someone and been afraid they might say no.” Claire stared. “Adrian Mercer is afraid of rejection?” “Do not spread that information.”
She smiled. Then he lifted one hand slowly, giving her time to move. She did not. His fingers touched her cheek. He kissed her like a man asking a question. Claire answered.
His other hand moved to her waist. Her fingers caught his jacket. For one long moment the mansion disappeared. Then a small voice came from the doorway. “I KNEW IT.”
They sprang apart. Lily stood in unicorn pajamas, delighted. Claire covered her face. Adrian looked genuinely horrified. “Why are you awake?” “I wanted water. I saw you kissing.” Lily grinned. “Does this mean Claire is staying forever?”
The room became quiet. Claire crouched to Lily’s level. “Remember what Mommy wrote about forever promises?” Lily had read Rebecca’s letter earlier. She nodded. “You said no forever promises.” Claire took her hands. “I can promise I love you.” “For today?” “For today.” “And tomorrow?” Claire smiled through tears. “I plan to.” Lily considered it, then hugged her. “Good enough.”
Adrian watched them, and something in him finally seemed to release. Later, Lily demanded another fox story and fell asleep between them. Adrian carried her to bed. When he returned to the study, Claire stood beside Rebecca’s desk. “You okay?” she asked. Adrian nodded, then shook his head, then smiled. “I think I will be.” Claire took his hand.
Outside, snow fell over Boston. Inside the Mercer mansion, Rebecca’s memory no longer felt like a locked room. It felt like a door someone had opened from the other side.
The next morning Eleanor found Claire drinking coffee in the kitchen and stared at her for a long moment. Claire braced herself. Eleanor only said, “You look tired.” “I was up late.” “I’m aware.” Claire nearly choked. Eleanor poured tea. “Rebecca had an irritating habit of being right about people.” Claire’s face warmed. “I’m not replacing her.” “Good,” Eleanor said. “Because Lily doesn’t need a replacement. She needs more people who stay honestly.” Claire thought of the letter. “I can do honest.” Eleanor’s expression softened. “Then perhaps you’re less temporary than I feared.”
Claire studied her. “Is that your version of approval?” “Do not be dramatic.” “I work with a six-year-old. Drama is occupational.” Eleanor almost smiled. “Adrian needs someone who tells him no.” “Frequently.” “And Lily needs someone who can love her without competing with a dead woman.” Claire’s throat tightened. Eleanor rose and collected her gloves. At the door she paused. “For what it is worth, Rebecca would have laughed at you two being caught by Lily.” Claire laughed. “That helps more than it should.” “Good. I dislike wasting useful information.”
For three days Claire allowed herself to believe danger had finally loosened its hold. Then Marcus came to breakfast with a folder of financial transfers from Daniel Crane’s accounts. Adrian opened it and went quiet. The money had been flowing through shell companies in Montreal, Providence, and New York. The names attached to them belonged to men from the Mercer family’s old criminal world.
Daniel had not acted alone. He had been feeding a network Adrian believed dead. And one name appeared again and again: Samuel Pike.
May you like
Adrian stared at the name for so long Claire finally asked, “What did he do to Rebecca?” Marcus looked away. Adrian answered himself. “He sent photographs of her leaving the hospital during one of my father’s disputes. I handled it. I never told her.” Claire felt anger and sympathy collide. “You really do have one terrible coping mechanism.” Adrian gave her a bleak look. “Secrecy?” “Calling control protection.” He nodded once. “I’m trying to retire it.”
Marcus explained that Pike had served Adrian’s father as an enforcer and fixer, then reinvented himself as a consultant when Adrian shut down the illegal businesses. Adrian had cut him off completely. “He considered the old structure a pension plan,” Marcus said. Claire stared at the columns of payments. “So Daniel stole from Adrian to fund men who thought Adrian owed them money?” “Partly,” Marcus said. “And partly to rebuild influence Adrian destroyed.” Adrian closed the folder. Claire recognized the old stillness in him, the one that made rooms afraid. She placed her hand over his before he could disappear inside it. “No secrets,” she reminded him. His gaze moved to hers. “No secrets,” he agreed. It was the first rule of whatever they were becoming, and this time Adrian intended to keep it.
