The answer seemed to cost him less now. That frightened her more than his earlier silence.
Linda began describing overdue bills, a rental deposit, expenses Margaret had never been told about. She spoke quickly, as though speed could make the numbers an explanation.
“You have four bedrooms,” she said. “You’re one person.”
Margaret laid Anthony’s papers on the dry end of the table.
“And therefore?”
“You could have a nice apartment. Someone would take care of the maintenance.”
“Who decided I wanted that?”
“Nobody can talk to you about change.”
Edward flinched.
Margaret looked at him.
“Is that what you told her?”
“Yes.”
She waited until he faced her.
“Did I refuse you a room?”
“No.”
“Did I refuse to feed your children?”
“No.”
“Then what did I refuse?”
His eyes filled.
“Nothing.”
Gabriella asked him to preserve the messages with the buyer. He unlocked his phone and placed it on the table.
Linda reached across him.
“Those are private.”
He caught her wrist, then released it immediately.
“Don’t delete anything.”
For the first time, Linda looked truly frightened.
Margaret pulled her hands into her lap. She had reached the decision before she knew how to say it.
“I want this reported.”
Edward covered his mouth.
Gabriella leaned forward.
