Chapter 4 - THE KEY THAT NO LONGER WORKED
The key entered the lock.
It turned halfway.
Then stopped.
Robert tried again.
Nothing.
“What the hell?”
I almost smiled.
My father had replaced the study lock after Robert moved in.
Biometric override.
The brass key was decorative.
Robert knocked harder.
“Claire.”
I called my attorney.
Mara answered immediately.
“Are the children safe?”
“Yes.”
“Are you?”
“For now.”
“What’s happening?”
“Robert and Helen are outside the study.”
A pause.
“Trying to get in?”
“Yes.”
“Stay inside.”
I looked at the monitor.
Robert stepped backward.
Helen whispered something.
Then he slammed his shoulder against the door.
Mara heard it.
“I’m calling security now.”
“No.”
“Claire.”
“Move the trust team here.”
“What?”
“Tonight.”
“You want to accelerate?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
Robert hit the door again.
I looked at the bank records in front of me.
“Yes.”
Mara did not argue.
“I’ll make the calls.”
Outside, Helen’s voice rose.
“You are frightening the children.”
I nearly laughed.
That was her weapon.
Accuse me of the damage she caused.
I pressed the intercom button.
My voice traveled through the hallway speakers.
“Robert.”
He stopped.
“The camera is recording.”
His face changed instantly.
Helen looked toward the ceiling.
I continued.
“So before either of you say anything else, remember that.”
Silence.
Then Robert lowered his voice.
“Claire, nobody wants to hurt you.”
“That sentence usually works better when you aren’t trying to break through a locked door.”
His jaw tightened.
“Come downstairs.”
“No.”
“We can fix this.”
“No.”
Helen stepped closer to the speaker.
“You think money makes you powerful?”
I looked at her through the monitor.
“No, Helen.”
I pressed the button again.
“I think evidence makes me difficult to lie about.”
Her face went pale.
Robert took her arm.
They moved away.
For twenty minutes, the house became silent.
Too silent.
Then headlights appeared outside.
Three black vehicles entered the driveway.
Mara arrived first.
Behind her came two trustees.
A forensic accountant.
And four private security officers.
Robert came out of the dining room.
“What is this?”
Mara removed her coat.
“The Bennett Family Trust emergency session.”
Helen stared at the group.
“It’s midnight.”
Mara looked toward her.
“Then you should have chosen a better night to threaten a beneficiary.”
Robert turned toward the stairs as I came down.
He looked at me as though seeing a stranger.
Maybe he was.
I walked past him.
Mara handed me a folder.
“Once you sign this, Robert’s operating authority is suspended pending review.”
Robert laughed.
“You can’t do that.”
May you like
I opened the folder.
“Watch me.”
