Chapter 8 - THE DINNER WHERE EVERYONE LIED
Sadie arrived at the Carter estate at 5:52 p.m.
Alone.
At least, that was what Richard believed.
Wyatt waited three properties away with copies of the documents.
Harrison Cole had resurfaced that afternoon through an encrypted message and given them one instruction.
Do not surrender originals.
Sadie carried the waterproof greenhouse case into the dining room.
Richard sat at the head of the table.
Victoria sat to his right.
Melanie to his left.
Three dinner settings waited.
Sadie remained standing.
"Where's Grandfather?"
Richard smiled.
"Sit."
"No."
"Then remain uncomfortable."
Sadie placed the case on the table.
"Where is he?"
"Safe."
"You threatened him with a gun."
"A theatrical photograph."
"You threatened me too."
Richard poured wine.
"I was angry."
"You said I wouldn't get up this time."
Victoria's eyes moved toward him.
Interesting.
Perhaps she had not heard that part.
Richard noticed Sadie notice.
His smile disappeared.
"The files."
Sadie kept one hand on the case.
"First I want answers."
"You are not in a position to negotiate."
"Then why am I still alive?"
Silence.
Sadie leaned closer.
"Because killing me now would trigger scrutiny of the trust."
Richard's jaw tightened.
She had guessed correctly.
"You need my death to look natural."
Melanie whispered, "What the hell are you talking about?"
Richard snapped, "Stay out of this."
Sadie turned to her.
"You really don't know?"
"Know what?"
"Ask Mom who your father is."
Victoria stood.
"Sadie."
Melanie looked at her.
"What does that mean?"
Richard slammed a hand onto the table.
"Enough."
Sadie smiled bitterly.
"Still protecting Malcolm after all these years?"
Melanie stared at Victoria.
"Who's Malcolm?"
Victoria's face crumbled.
Melanie stood slowly.
"Mom?"
Sadie almost felt sorry for her.
Almost.
Richard said, "She's lying."
Melanie turned toward him.
"Is she?"
"Yes."
Sadie opened the case.
Richard's attention snapped toward it.
She removed a folder.
"Then you won't mind if Melanie sees her original paternity report."
There was no paternity report.
It was a bluff.
Richard lunged.
That was enough.
Melanie backed away.
"Oh my God."
Victoria began crying.
"Melanie, please."
"You knew?"
Richard shouted, "Sit down!"
Melanie screamed back, "You're not my father?"
Richard froze.
For twenty-five years, he had apparently never heard her say it out loud.
Victoria whispered, "Richard raised you."
"That wasn't my question."
Richard looked at Sadie with naked hatred.
"You did this."
Sadie laughed.
"No. You did."
He stepped toward her.
Sadie did not move.
Richard stopped.
Maybe he remembered Wyatt.
Maybe the police.
Maybe the trust.
Sadie said, "Where is Charles?"
Richard leaned close enough that she smelled wine on his breath.
"Your grandfather is dying."
"Then let him die free."
"No."
"Why?"
Richard smiled.
"Because he hasn't told me where the fourth ledger is."
Sadie's confidence faltered.
"What fourth ledger?"
Richard studied her face.
Then smiled wider.
"You really don't know."
Victoria whispered, "Richard."
He ignored her.
"Charles kept four."
Sadie had found one.
"What are the others?"
"One records company theft."
He lifted one finger.
"One records bribery."
Second finger.
"One records the family trusts."
Third.
He lifted a fourth.
"And the final ledger records names."
"What names?"
Richard's smile vanished.
"People who made sure your grandfather disappeared quietly."
Sadie swallowed.
"Politicians?"
Richard laughed once.
"Oh, sweetheart."
He looked almost pitying.
"Your grandfather's enemies don't run for office."
May you like
He leaned closer.
"They choose who does."
