Chapter 8 - Victor Hale’s Client
Victor did not descend the stairs.
He stood beneath the kitchen light with his hands visible.
Detective Ruiz entered behind him.
“I caught Mr. Hale attempting to use an unauthorized access code,” Ruiz said.
Victor smiled.
“The code was given to me by a resident.”
“Michael?” Claire asked.
Victor ignored the question.
His eyes moved to the photograph in her hand.
“That is what I came for.”
Claire held it closer.
“It belonged to my father.”
“It belongs to the Merritt estate.”
“Which Merritt?”
“The one who hired me.”
“Ruth?”
Victor almost laughed.
“Ruth believes she understands this house. She does not.”
“Michael?”
“Michael understands even less.”
“Then who?”
Victor looked toward Dustin.
Claire immediately stepped in front of her son.
“Do not look at him.”
Victor raised his hands slightly.
“I have no interest in frightening a child.”
“You worked with people who starved him.”
“I did not authorize that.”
“But you created the transfer documents.”
“I created legal documents based on information provided by a client.”
“The beneficiary was hidden.”
“Privacy is not a crime.”
“Fraud is.”
Ruiz stepped closer.
“You should answer carefully.”
Victor remained calm.
“The transfer required Claire’s voluntary signature. She did not sign. No property changed hands.”
“Someone forged preliminary documents,” Naomi said.
Victor’s eyes shifted toward her.
“That was not done by my office.”
“Who controls the Merritt Renewal Trust?” Claire asked.
“I cannot disclose that.”
Ruiz said, “You may need to disclose it under subpoena.”
“Then I will respond to the court.”
Victor looked at the photograph again.
“Henry stole records that never belonged to him.”
“Did he steal Bellweather?”
“No.”
The answer surprised everyone.
Victor continued.
“Bellweather House legally belongs to Claire. Michael knows that. Ruth knows it too, although she prefers another version of history.”
“Then why take it?”
“Because Michael owes more money than he can repay.”
“To you?”
“To several people.”
“How much?”
“Approximately $740,000.”
Claire felt the air leave her lungs.
Michael’s company was not large enough to survive that debt.
“Why would anyone lend him so much?”
“They believed the house secured the loans.”
“I never agreed to that.”
“Michael produced documents suggesting he had authority.”
Naomi said, “Documents with Claire’s forged signature.”
Victor nodded.
“That appears likely.”
“Why help him transfer the house?”
“I did not help Michael. My client purchased his debt.”
Claire stared at him.
“Who is your client?”
Victor looked at Dustin again.
“The person who believes Bellweather was promised to a child.”
“Gabriel?”
For the first time, Victor’s control slipped.
Only slightly.
But Claire saw it.
Victor recovered and turned toward Ruiz.
“Unless I am under arrest, I am leaving.”
Ruiz could not legally hold him.
Before stepping outside, Victor addressed Claire.
“Your husband will ask you to sign again. He will claim it is the only way to protect Dustin.”
“He will never come near my son.”
“You believe Michael is the greatest danger because he is the danger you can see.”
He nodded toward the photograph.
“Ask Naomi what happened to Elena Merritt.”
After Victor left, Naomi sat down.
“I don’t know what happened to her.”
“But your father did.”
“He is in a memory-care facility. Most days, he does not recognize me.”
“Can we speak to him?”
“We can try.”
They drove to the facility that afternoon.
Naomi’s father, Thomas Wells, sat beside a window watching birds gather beneath a feeder.
He did not respond when Naomi introduced Claire.
Then Claire placed the photograph in his hands.
His fingers began to tremble.
“Elena,” he whispered.
“What happened to her?” Claire asked.
Thomas looked toward the closed door.
“Henry made me change the name.”
“Whose name?”
“The baby’s.”
“Gabriel?”
Thomas shook his head.
“That was the first name.”
“What was the new one?”
Before Thomas could answer, a nurse entered.
“There is a telephone call for Mr. Wells.”
Thomas stared at the phone on the wall.
“No,” he whispered.
The nurse looked confused.
“The caller says it is his son.”
Naomi stood.
“My father does not have a son.”
The phone began ringing.
May you like
Thomas gripped Claire’s wrist.
“Do not let Gabriel find Dustin.”
