I picked up the letter.
“I’m done protecting people who use my silence as permission.”
CHAPTER 2 – The Locked Room
Reeves called an attorney named Mara Bell, who arrived with snow melting along the shoulders of her dark coat.
She was in her fifties, direct and unsentimental, with a leather folder tucked beneath one arm.
“Arthur trusted me with the trust documents,” she said. “He asked me to wait until you came in person.”
“You knew?”
“I knew what he arranged. I did not know whether your father would force you to activate it.”
The phrase made me look away.
Mara placed three forms on the desk. I signed them with a hand that shook only once.
By the time the bank closed, every trust account was frozen, the attempted property transfer had been blocked, and a notice had been sent to the company’s accounting department.
Mara also arranged for an independent auditor to secure the company’s records.
“You should not go back to the house alone,” she said.
“I’m not going back for my things.”
“You will still need to speak to your father.”
“I know.”
My phone began ringing as we stepped into the lobby.
Dad.
I let it ring.
Then Madison.
I let that ring too.
The third call came from Mom.
I answered.
“Claire?” Her voice was small. “Where are you?”
“At the bank.”
A pause.
“Your father says you’ve done something to his accounts.”
“I stopped him from selling Grandpa’s property.”
Another silence. This one was longer.
“Your father told me the papers were routine.”
