Chapter 3 - THE FORGED NAME
Clarissa closed the laptop moments before Parker entered.
He shut the door behind him.
“What are you doing?”
“Checking who owns the house.”
“And?”
“You tell me.”
Parker leaned against the door.
His calmness felt rehearsed.
“Your father created a trust to protect the property.”
“Why are you the trustee?”
“Because you were grieving. He worried you might make emotional decisions.”
“My father died before the trust was created.”
“The paperwork was delayed.”
“My signature was forged.”
For the first time, Parker’s composure broke.
His eyes moved toward the laptop.
Clarissa stepped between him and the desk.
“I was in surgery when those documents were notarized.”
“You signed several documents before the procedure.”
“I signed hospital forms.”
“You were taking medication. You may not remember.”
“I remember how I sign my name.”
Parker rubbed his forehead.
“This is exactly why your father wanted someone else to manage things. You see conspiracies everywhere.”
“No. I see my husband controlling property that belongs to me.”
“It belongs to us.”
“You told your family it belongs to you.”
“I simplified the situation.”
“You lied.”
Parker’s face hardened.
“Be careful.”
“Is that a threat?”
“It is advice.”
From the hallway came the sound of a suitcase rolling across the floor.
Clarissa hoped Dustin had packed quickly.
She reached for the laptop.
Parker moved first.
He grabbed it and pulled it toward himself.
Clarissa held on.
“What did you download?”
“Nothing.”
“Do not lie to me.”
“Why? Is that only allowed when your family does it?”
He shoved the laptop aside.
It struck a stack of books and fell to the carpet.
Clarissa flinched.
Parker lowered his voice.
“You are upset. I understand that. But you need to stop before you create consequences you cannot control.”
“What consequences?”
“You could lose this house.”
“You already stole it.”
“You could lose Dustin.”
The threat landed harder than any raised voice.
Clarissa stared at him.
“What did you say?”
Parker’s expression changed again. He seemed to realize he had gone too far.
“I’m talking about stability. Courts look at stability.”
“What court?”
“If you leave with Dustin, accuse me of fraud, and start acting irrationally, people may question whether you are capable of caring for him.”
“You never adopted him.”
“No, but your father’s will included a guardianship clause.”
Clarissa felt the room tilt.
“What clause?”
Parker looked away.
She stepped closer.
“What clause?”
Before he could answer, something crashed upstairs.
Dustin screamed.
Clarissa ran.
She reached the second floor and found Dustin in the hallway. His small travel bag lay open. Clothes were scattered around him.
Ellie stood in the doorway to his bedroom holding a wooden box.
Clarissa recognized it.
It had belonged to her father.
“What are you doing?” Clarissa demanded.
Ellie clutched the box against her chest.
“He stole this from Alana.”
Dustin shook his head wildly.
“No, Grandpa gave it to Mom.”
“It was in my son’s closet,” Clarissa said. “Put it down.”
Alana appeared behind Ellie.
“That box belongs to the Mercer family.”
“It has my father’s initials.”
“He gave it to Parker.”
Dustin grabbed Clarissa’s hand.
“Aunt Ellie was looking for the red key.”
Every adult froze.
Clarissa looked down at him.
“What red key?”
Ellie laughed too quickly.
“He’s making things up.”
Dustin pointed toward the box.
“The one Grandpa hid.”
Parker reached the hallway.
His face changed when he saw the box.
“Give that to me.”
Ellie immediately handed it over.
Clarissa blocked him.
“Open it.”
“It is private.”
“It belonged to my father.”
Parker held the box behind his back.
Alana stepped forward.
“You have upset everyone enough.”
Clarissa looked from Alana to Parker.
Then she realized the family had not gathered for an afternoon meal.
They had come to search the house.
The food was camouflage.
The humiliation of Dustin had kept him out of the dining room while they moved between rooms.
“What are you looking for?” she asked.
No one answered.
Clarissa turned to Dustin.
“Where did Grandpa hide the key?”
Parker shouted, “Do not answer her.”
Dustin began trembling.
Clarissa pulled him behind her.
“Why are you afraid of a key?”
Parker’s phone rang.
He glanced at the screen.
The name displayed was Victor Hale.
Clarissa recognized it as the name of Parker’s employer, the wealthy developer who had once been her father’s business partner.
Parker declined the call.
A second later, Clarissa’s phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
No one spoke.
Then she heard breathing.
May you like
A man whispered, “Your father did not die on the bridge.”
The call ended.
