Chapter 12 - The Road Out of Town
Richard did not make it to the airport.
He did not try.
That surprised everyone.
At 8:21 a.m., police identified his vehicle traveling north toward the state line.
At 8:43, a traffic camera caught it near an industrial district.
At 8:49, it disappeared.
Diane was believed to be with him.
At 9:10, Dr. Samuel Harlan was arrested at a bus terminal eighty miles away.
He had cash.
Two phones.
A passport.
And no convincing explanation.
By ten, he was asking for an attorney.
Claire watched morning news coverage from the hospital with the sound muted.
The Whitmore house appeared on screen.
Police vehicles lined the street.
The hearse was visible behind the wall.
Someone had photographed it.
The engagement flowers still stood nearby.
The image would follow the family forever.
Claire expected shame.
Instead she felt relief.
The secret was outside now.
Nobody could put it back in a room and close the lid.
Ethan stood at the window.
"My firm suspended the Whitmore restructuring."
"Good."
"Foundation accounts are frozen pending review."
"Good."
"The board called an emergency meeting."
"Also good."
"You may be asked to take temporary control."
Claire looked at him.
"Today?"
"Not today."
"Then don't tell me today."
He nodded.
"Fair."
Vanessa had left to meet investigators again.
Claire wondered where her sister would live.
The Whitmore house was a crime scene.
Her apartment lease had ended.
Ethan's home was obviously no longer an option.
For years, Vanessa always had somewhere to go because somebody rescued her.
This time Claire would not.
Consequences needed room to exist.
At 10:17, Brooks entered.
"We found Diane."
Claire sat up.
"Alive?"
"Yes."
Claire exhaled.
"Where?"
"An urgent care center outside Millbrook."
"What happened?"
"She walked in alone. Bruising on one arm. She says Richard abandoned her near the highway after taking her phone."
Claire closed her eyes.
"Is she under arrest?"
"Not yet. She's being treated and questioned."
"She admitted involvement?"
"The note does that."
Claire looked at Ethan.
"Richard?"
"Still missing."
Claire felt no surprise.
Richard had always believed the rules were for people who lacked power.
Running was simply the final version of that belief.
Brooks continued.
"Diane says she knows where he's going."
Claire looked back.
"Where?"
"Mercer Ridge."
Claire frowned.
The name sounded familiar.
Ethan answered first.
"That's the Lakeside property."
Claire stared.
The failed development.
The project Richard had poured foundation money into.
Forty-two unfinished luxury homes around a half-built artificial lake.
Why would he go there?
Then she remembered.
"Private airstrip."
Ethan looked at her.
"What?"
"The original developer built a small landing strip for investors. Dad kept it after the purchase."
Brooks was already on her phone.
"How long?"
"About ninety minutes by road."
"If he has a plane?"
"I don't know."
Ethan said, "He doesn't."
Claire looked at him.
"How do you know?"
"I reviewed company asset insurance."
Of course he did.
Brooks headed for the door.
Claire stopped her.
"Wait."
Brooks turned.
"Richard won't go there just to escape."
"Why?"
"Because Lakeside is the reason he did all of this."
Ethan understood.
"The money."
Claire nodded.
"Cash reserve?"
"Maybe."
Brooks asked, "Where?"
Claire thought about Richard's habits.
He distrusted banks whenever he feared exposure.
During the 2008 recession, he had stored cash in a construction trailer because he believed creditors would freeze accounts.
Lakeside had several abandoned management buildings.
"Sales office."
Brooks nodded and left.
Claire stared at Ethan.
"He's going back for whatever he thinks is his."
"Richard's definition of his seems expansive."
She almost smiled.
Then Ethan's phone rang.
Mara.
He answered.
Listened.
His expression changed.
"What?"
He held up one finger.
Then said, "Send it."
A document arrived.
Ethan opened it.
Claire watched his eyes move.
"What is it?"
He came closer.
"Mara's team reconstructed deleted Lakeside files."
"And?"
"Richard made a transfer yesterday."
"How much?"
"Three point eight million dollars."
"From where?"
"The family foundation reserve."
Claire's face went cold.
"To what account?"
"It didn't reach an account."
"What does that mean?"
"It was converted into cashier instruments through a chain of entities."
"Physical checks?"
"Essentially."
"Where?"
"Last known custody was Richard."
Claire understood.
"Lakeside."
Ethan nodded.
Richard was not fleeing empty-handed.
He was attempting to take the last accessible foundation money with him.
Money meant for scholarships.
Mobility grants.
Home modifications.
People like the families Eleanor had created the foundation to help.
Claire swung her legs out of bed.
Ethan stared.
"No."
"I am not going to Lakeside."
"Good."
"I'm going to the board meeting."
"Claire."
"My father is trying to steal the last three point eight million dollars."
"Police are handling him."
"And who handles the foundation?"
Ethan paused.
Claire stood with the hospital cane.
Her leg trembled.
Her resolve did not.
"For years, everyone in my family treated my mobility like proof that somebody else should make decisions for me."
May you like
She looked at the door.
"I'm done performing helplessness for their convenience."
