Chapter 9 - THE MOTHER WHO KNEW NOTHING UNTIL SHE KNEW TOO MUCH
Victoria Bennett called Clara two days before the family returned.
This time she was crying.
Clara almost did not answer.
Then she remembered Mercer’s advice.
Maintain normal contact.
Do not reveal the investigation.
Clara answered.
“What happened?”
Victoria sniffed dramatically.
“Your brother’s card was declined.”
Clara said nothing.
“We’re at the hotel.”
“And?”
“We need the airport transfer.”
“Take a taxi.”
“Clara.”
“What?”
“You know I don’t travel like that.”
Clara leaned back in her chair.
“There are cars available.”
“Your father is furious.”
“I heard.”
Victoria lowered her voice.
“Why are you punishing all of us because Serena’s sister came?”
Clara almost laughed.
“You told me I wasn’t actual family.”
“Oh, for heaven’s sake. I was angry.”
“You packed my suitcase.”
“You were being difficult.”
“I had just arrived.”
“You always twist things.”
There it was.
The old pattern.
Clara had spent years trying to win arguments that Victoria simply rewrote.
Then Victoria said something unexpected.
“Your father has been under terrible pressure.”
Clara’s attention sharpened.
“What pressure?”
A pause.
“Business.”
“What business?”
Another pause.
“Investments.”
Clara sat straighter.
“What investments?”
“I don’t know.”
Too fast.
Victoria knew something.
Clara kept her voice mild.
“You just said he was under pressure.”
“He doesn’t tell me everything.”
“Does Julian?”
“Sometimes.”
Clara looked at Mercer, who sat across the room listening through a legally approved recording setup Clara had consented to.
“What does Julian tell you?”
Victoria became defensive.
“Why are you interrogating me?”
“I’m not.”
“Well, it feels like it.”
Clara changed direction.
“Do you need money?”
Silence.
Then Victoria’s voice softened.
“We need about six thousand for the hotel and transfer.”
“Six thousand?”
“It’s complicated.”
Clara almost smiled.
Of course.
“What happened to Dad’s cards?”
“They’re fine.”
“So use them.”
“He’s preserving liquidity.”
Mercer’s eyes lifted.
Clara repeated, “Preserving liquidity?”
Victoria realized too late she had said something meaningful.
“I just mean he doesn’t like travel charges.”
“Mom.”
“What?”
“Is Dad having money problems?”
“No.”
“Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
Clara let silence stretch.
Victoria hated silence.
Eventually she filled it.
“He had one investment that didn’t work out.”
“One?”
“Maybe two.”
“Does he owe anyone money?”
“No.”
Another lie.
“Does Julian?”
Victoria snapped.
“Why are you asking?”
“Because you’re calling me for six thousand dollars while you’re staying at a luxury hotel.”
“I knew you’d make me feel small.”
Clara almost responded.
Then she stopped.
Victoria’s favorite trick was turning consequences into cruelty.
Clara would not play.
“I’ll arrange a standard airport transfer.”
“A standard one?”
“Yes.”
Victoria groaned.
“Fine.”
“Mom?”
“What now?”
“Did Dad ever ask you to sign paperwork for Bennett Coastal Holdings?”
Silence.
Mercer leaned forward.
Clara waited.
Victoria’s breathing changed.
“What did you say?”
“Bennett Coastal Holdings.”
“I don’t know what that is.”
Another lie.
Clara felt it instantly.
Her mother’s voice had gone careful.
“Never heard of it?”
“No.”
“Okay.”
“Why?”
“No reason.”
“Clara.”
“Yes?”
“Has someone contacted you?”
Mercer and Maya exchanged a glance.
Clara kept her voice neutral.
“About what?”
Victoria said nothing.
Then: “Nothing.”
The call ended two minutes later.
Mercer immediately said, “She knows the name.”
“Yes.”
“Maybe not the whole scheme.”
“But something.”
Mercer nodded.
Twenty minutes later, Victoria sent a message.
Please don’t upset your father when we get home. He’s dealing with enough.
Clara stared at it.
Then another message arrived.
Different number.
Unknown.
She opened it.
A photograph.
Richard standing beside Julian on the cruise ship.
The picture appeared to have been taken secretly from several tables away.
Below it was a message.
YOUR FATHER IS NOT THE ONE YOU SHOULD BE AFRAID OF.
Clara’s blood went cold.
May you like
Another message followed.
ASK JULIAN WHAT HAPPENED TO THE FIRST GUARANTEE.
