Chapter 4 - The Paper Under the Plate
Saturday afternoon arrived bright and cloudless.
By noon, Diane’s backyard was filled with relatives, neighbors and employees from Mercer Construction. Music played near the patio. Smoke rose from the grill, and children chased one another through the grass.
A green wrestling mat had been placed on the lawn for games.
Owen had suggested it.
He told everyone he wanted the barbecue to feel like the family gatherings they had enjoyed as children. Diane loved the idea and spent the morning organizing contests.
Claire remained close to Ava.
Samuel arrived shortly after one o’clock wearing sunglasses and carrying a bottle of sparkling water. He introduced himself as a retired investor interested in construction companies.
Owen noticed him immediately.
Their eyes met across the lawn.
Neither man reacted, but Claire saw Owen’s right hand close around his cup.
Samuel walked past Claire without stopping.
“Dark vehicle beyond the side gate,” he murmured. “Engine has been running for twenty minutes.”
“Police?”
“Nearby, but we need probable cause.”
“Do you recognize him?”
“Not yet.”
Samuel continued toward the cooler.
Claire joined Ava at the picnic table. Her daughter was decorating cookies with two cousins when Diane placed a fresh plate in front of Claire.
Under the plate was another copy of the transfer agreement.
“Please,” Diane said. “We can finish this before dessert.”
“This isn’t the time.”
“Owen says the investors need an answer today.”
“Then they aren’t investors I trust.”
Diane lowered her voice.
“You have always kept part of yourself outside this family.”
Claire looked at her.
“What does that mean?”
“You never needed us. Even after Nathan died, you acted as though you could carry everything alone.”
“I was trying to survive.”
“We were all trying to survive.”
“Then why are you asking me to give away Ava’s inheritance?”
Diane’s expression softened.
“I’m asking you to trust Nathan’s brother.”
Claire glanced toward Owen.
He stood near the wrestling mat, entertaining a circle of relatives. He shoved Beth’s husband playfully, then challenged two teenage cousins to wrestle.
Everyone laughed.
“He’s family,” Diane said.
Claire looked back at the agreement.
So had Nathan been.
Yet someone had stolen his credentials, lied about his history and possibly used the family company to commit a robbery.
Claire folded the document and slipped it into her pocket.
“I won’t sign.”
Diane’s disappointment was immediate.
Before she could reply, Owen called across the yard.
“Claire, come join us.”
Claire shook her head.
“I’m fine here.”
“Don’t be shy.”
“I’m not.”
Several relatives turned toward them.
Owen walked across the grass.
“Mom says you teach people how to breathe and stretch.”
“I teach several things.”
He looked at the green mat.
“Then show us.”
“No.”
The answer was simple, but Owen treated it like an insult.
“Come on. It’s just fun.”
Ava stopped decorating her cookie.
Claire saw worry enter her daughter’s eyes.
Owen stepped closer.
“You always thought you were better than us.”
“That isn’t true.”
“You married my brother and convinced him he didn’t need his own family.”
Claire stood.
“Do not discuss Nathan like this in front of Ava.”
Owen smiled at the relatives watching them.
“See? She gives commands. That’s what she does.”
No one laughed now.
Diane approached them.
“Owen, let it go.”
But he did not.
He wanted Claire angry.
He wanted her to react publicly, perhaps so he could argue she was unstable and should not control Ava’s shares.
Claire understood the plan.
She also understood something more frightening.
May you like
Owen had expected her refusal.
The documents had never been his only strategy.
