Chapter 5 - The Plate of Potatoes
Claire spent the night preparing.
She sent copies of every recording to Naomi.
She uploaded them to a secure account Ruth and Carla could not access. She photographed the scratches around the hidden compartment and saved the video of the gray-coated man.
She also called Detective Aaron Ruiz, an old friend of Henry’s.
Ruiz could not arrest anyone based on suspicion, but he advised Claire to document every incident and call immediately if either woman threatened or touched Dustin.
“We need Michael’s connection to the forged transfer,” he said.
“I have his voice telling them to do whatever is necessary.”
“That proves conspiracy to intimidate you. It may not prove he created the fraudulent documents.”
“What about the trust?”
“We are investigating Victor Hale.”
Claire looked toward the bedroom where Dustin and Owen were sleeping.
“Michael will be here tomorrow.”
“Do not meet him alone.”
At breakfast, Claire told Ruth and Carla that she would make her final decision about the transfer after speaking with Michael.
Ruth appeared pleased.
Carla seemed nervous.
She kept checking her phone.
At noon, a courier delivered a folder addressed to Claire.
Inside was a revised property-transfer agreement and instructions to sign it before a mobile notary arriving at six.
Claire photographed the documents and sent them to Naomi.
The new version contained an additional clause.
Once the transfer was completed, Claire would surrender the right to occupy Bellweather House if requested by Northbridge.
They were not merely taking ownership.
They planned to remove her.
At four, Claire returned from a meeting with Naomi and heard laughter from the dining room.
Owen was seated at the table with a full meal.
Dustin sat alone at the far end.
On his plate were three cold potatoes.
“Where is his dinner?” Claire asked.
Ruth did not turn around.
“That is his dinner.”
Claire walked closer.
Dustin’s eyes were red.
“What happened?”
“He took bread without permission,” Ruth answered.
“This is his home. He does not need permission.”
“He needs discipline.”
Ruth picked up the plate.
Before Claire could reach her, Ruth threw it toward Dustin.
Claire caught the edge.
The plate shattered against the table, and the potatoes scattered across the floor.
“You’re not my son,” Ruth shouted. “Get out!”
Dustin stumbled from his chair.
Claire pulled him behind her.
“You have two hours to leave my house.”
Ruth’s expression flickered.
Carla laughed and raised her phone.
“Michael will tell you where we’re staying.”
“What does my husband know?” Claire asked.
“Everything.”
A recording suddenly played through Carla’s phone.
Ruth’s voice filled the room.
“Let Dustin starve until she signs the transfer of ownership of the house to—”
Ruth lunged and snatched the device.
The recording stopped before the final name.
Claire stepped toward her.
“Give me the phone.”
“No.”
“You threw a plate at my child.”
“He is manipulating you.”
“He is ten.”
Ruth backed toward the hallway.
Carla stood motionless beside the table.
She looked as shocked by the recording as Claire.
“Where did that file come from?” Carla whispered.
Ruth glared at her.
“You were supposed to delete it.”
“I did.”
A faint noise came from the hallway.
Claire turned and saw a man reflected in the television.
The gray coat.
She ran toward him.
The front door slammed.
By the time Claire reached the porch, the driveway was empty.
A white envelope lay near the door.
Her father’s handwriting appeared across the front.
Claire.
Inside was the warning.
Do not sign the house away.
Beneath the message, Henry had drawn a small symbol.
A circle divided by a vertical line.
Claire had seen it before.
It appeared on the papers creating the Merritt Renewal Trust.
Police arrived within minutes.
Ruiz photographed the broken plate and interviewed both children separately.
Owen told him the truth.
He had seen his grandmother throw it.
Ruth was removed from the house while officers investigated the assault.
Carla was allowed to leave with Owen after surrendering a copy of the phone recording.
Before stepping outside, Carla stopped beside Claire.
“I didn’t know she was starving Dustin.”
“You watched him sit with three potatoes.”
“I thought it happened once.”
“Once was enough.”
Carla lowered her voice.
“You think Michael is doing this for my mother.”
“Who is he doing it for?”
Carla looked toward the police car where Ruth sat.
“My mother believed the trust was for Owen.”
“And you?”
“I believed it too.”
Claire held up the transfer document.
“Who is the real beneficiary?”
Carla swallowed.
“I don’t know.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I know Michael is afraid of Victor Hale. I know he owes him money. I know Hale promised the house would return to the Merritt family.”
“Where is Michael?”
May you like
Carla hesitated.
“He was never in Chicago.”
