Chapter 2 - The Warning in the Kitchen
Patricia Reed’s house looked exactly as it had every Thanksgiving Daniel could remember.
A large American flag hung beside the front porch. Orange leaves covered the lawn. The windows glowed with soft golden light, and the smell of turkey reached the driveway before Daniel opened the car door.
Patricia greeted Ethan first.
“There’s my favorite grandson.”
“I’m your only grandson,” Ethan replied.
“That makes the competition easier.”
She kissed his forehead and called for the other children.
Inside, Megan was arranging glasses on the table. She wore a dark green dress and a smile that disappeared when she saw Daniel.
Chris stood near the fireplace talking to Tyler, their teenage son.
“Happy Thanksgiving,” Daniel said.
Megan gave him a quick hug.
“You’re late.”
“We’re ten minutes early.”
“Mom wanted everyone here by noon.”
Patricia called from the kitchen.
“I said around noon.”
Megan rolled her eyes.
Lauren placed the pies on the counter while Daniel carried in the remaining dishes. Cooper walked directly toward Patricia, who always pretended not to feed him scraps.
The first hour passed peacefully.
The children played in the living room. Football played quietly on television. Patricia argued with Lauren about whether the turkey needed more time.
Daniel began to believe his worries had been unnecessary.
Then Chris approached him near the back door.
“I heard you hired outside accountants.”
Daniel studied him.
“Who told you that?”
“People talk.”
“The company is reviewed every year.”
“This isn’t a normal review.”
“No.”
Chris lowered his voice.
“You could have come to us first.”
“I haven’t accused you of anything.”
“But you’re looking.”
“I’m responsible for the company.”
Chris smiled without warmth.
“You mean you own the company.”
“The family trust owns most of it.”
“And you control the trust.”
“Until Ethan is older.”
Chris glanced toward the living room.
“Interesting arrangement. Your son inherits everything while Megan gets whatever you decide she deserves.”
“That isn’t true.”
“It’s exactly how she sees it.”
Daniel stepped closer.
“What are you afraid the auditors will find?”
Chris’s smile vanished.
Before he could answer, Patricia called everyone to the dining room to help set the table.
Later, Lauren entered the kitchen to find Megan standing alone beside the steaks.
The turkey had been prepared for everyone, but Patricia also served steak because Robert had always insisted on it. Six steaks rested on a large platter, each marked with a small flag identifying how it had been cooked.
Daniel’s was the only medium-rare steak.
Megan held something near her waist.
When Lauren entered, Megan quickly slipped it into her pocket.
“What was that?” Lauren asked.
“Nothing.”
“You were holding a bottle.”
“Seasoning.”
Megan moved between Lauren and the platter.
Lauren looked at the steaks.
“Patricia already seasoned them.”
“Daniel likes extra flavor.”
Something in Megan’s voice unsettled her.
Before Lauren could ask another question, Patricia entered carrying a casserole.
“Lauren, could you bring the bread?”
Lauren hesitated.
Megan picked up the platter.
“I’ll take these out.”
As she passed, Lauren noticed a sharp medicinal odor.
She turned toward Megan.
But Ethan appeared in the doorway, excitedly announcing that Cooper had stolen a napkin.
May you like
For less than a minute, Lauren allowed herself to believe she had misunderstood what she had seen.
That minute nearly changed their lives.
