Chapter 3 - The Woman Nathan Chose
Bianca was released on bond forty-eight hours later.
A judge issued a strict no-contact order protecting Lily and required Bianca to stay away from Silver Pine Resort except through counsel for retrieval of personal property.
Nathan wanted her kept in jail.
His lawyer, David Chen, reminded him that wanting something did not make it legally possible.
“The evidence of the shove is strong,” David said. “The question of intent is still developing.”
Nathan paced his Denver office.
“She asked what happens to Lily’s shares if Lily dies.”
“According to a seven-year-old.”
“My daughter.”
“Yes. And she may be completely truthful. But prosecutors will still seek corroboration.”
Nathan stopped pacing.
“Thomas heard Bianca say everyone would call it an accident.”
“Again, context matters.”
Nathan hated context.
Context had been Bianca’s favorite weapon.
Lily is grieving.
Lily resents me.
Lily wants us to divorce.
Lily makes things up when she feels ignored.
Nathan had accepted every explanation because they made his life easier.
He had wanted a peaceful second marriage.
So he had required his daughter to provide it.
Catherine walked into the office without knocking.
She was Amelia’s older sister and had never hidden her distrust of Bianca.
Nathan braced himself.
“You can say it.”
Catherine removed her gloves.
“I told you so?”
“Yes.”
“That would make me feel good for ten seconds.”
She sat.
“It wouldn’t help Lily.”
Nathan looked away.
Catherine continued.
“I did warn you.”
“I know.”
“Three times.”
“I know.”
“Lily told me Bianca grabbed her arm hard enough to bruise.”
Nathan turned.
“When?”
“Last Christmas.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I did.”
He froze.
Catherine pulled out her phone.
She found an old message.
December 27.
Nathan, Lily showed me bruises on her upper arm. She says Bianca squeezed her because she spilled juice. Please call me.
Nathan stared at the screen.
Below it was his reply.
Bianca explained. Lily is exaggerating again. Please don’t undermine her.
Nathan sat down.
He remembered writing it.
He had been in a negotiations meeting in Chicago.
Bianca had called before Catherine’s text.
“She’s trying to turn your family against me,” Bianca had cried.
Nathan had reassured his wife.
Then dismissed his daughter.
“I failed her.”
Catherine did not comfort him.
“Yes.”
Nathan looked up.
She continued.
“That doesn’t mean you get to collapse now. Guilt is still about you.”
The words cut cleanly.
Nathan nodded.
“What does Lily need?”
“To know you will believe what she says even when you don’t like hearing it.”
Nathan exhaled.
“And Jake?”
Catherine’s eyes narrowed.
“What about him?”
“I assaulted him.”
“You did.”
“I want to make it right.”
“You can’t.”
“I can compensate him.”
Catherine’s expression hardened.
“You’re going to offer money?”
Nathan realized how it sounded.
“Medical expenses. Lost wages.”
“That’s different.”
“And whatever civil damages he seeks.”
“Through lawyers.”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
Nathan rubbed his face.
“I want to apologize.”
“Then apologize without expecting forgiveness.”
Jake was discharged that afternoon.
Nathan met him outside the hospital with David present.
Jake’s left cheek was purple.
His ribs were taped.
Nathan felt physically sick.
“I’m not here to ask you not to press charges.”
Jake watched him.
“I am pressing charges.”
“I understand.”
“And I’m filing a civil claim.”
“I understand.”
Jake seemed surprised.
Nathan continued.
“You saved Lily. I attacked you because I believed the first adult who gave me an answer instead of listening to my daughter.”
Jake said nothing.
“I’m sorry.”
“That doesn’t fix my rib.”
“No.”
“Or what Lily saw.”
“No.”
Jake’s jaw tightened.
“She looked at you like she was scared of you.”
Nathan swallowed.
“I know.”
“That should bother you more than my lawsuit.”
“It does.”
Jake studied him for several seconds.
Then said, “Bianca came to the rapids before.”
Nathan’s head lifted.
“When?”
“Two weeks ago.”
“Why?”
“She said she was planning a private family event.”
“What did she ask?”
Jake’s expression changed.
“She asked about surveillance.”
Nathan felt cold.
“What exactly?”
“Which areas the resort cameras could see. Whether footage was stored. How fast emergency gates could stop the current.”
“Did you answer?”
“Basic safety stuff. Nothing sensitive.”
“Did she ask about the stone bridge?”
“Yes.”
Nathan’s pulse accelerated.
“What did you tell her?”
“That the bridge itself wasn’t covered by our attraction cameras because guests complained about privacy when taking photographs there.”
Thomas had been filming from that bridge.
Bianca had chosen the location because she believed it was a blind spot.
Jake continued.
“She also asked what happens if someone loses consciousness in the channel.”
Nathan’s stomach turned.
“What did you say?”
“That vests usually keep them up long enough for guards to reach them.”
“Usually?”
Jake looked away.
“There are two drop sections. A small child can spin beneath the side current.”
Nathan remembered Lily disappearing.
His hands began shaking.
Jake noticed.
“She knew what she was asking.”
Nathan whispered, “Yes.”
His phone rang.
Grant Mercer.
Nathan stared at the name.
Jake saw it.
“Your COO?”
“Yes.”
“Bianca came with him the first time.”
Nathan looked up sharply.
“What?”
“Grant was waiting near the equipment room.”
“Did they speak?”
“I assumed they were discussing the event.”
Nathan answered the phone.
Grant sounded calm.
“We need to talk.”
“About what?”
“The Ridgewell offer.”
Nathan almost laughed.
“My daughter was nearly killed.”
“And the company is losing value by the hour.”
Nathan closed his eyes.
Grant continued.
“Ridgewell increased the offer.”
“To what?”
“Four hundred eighty million.”
Nathan went still.
That was nearly sixty million above the previous proposal.
“Why?”
“They want certainty before the scandal grows.”
Nathan stared at Jake.
Then asked, “And what do you get if it closes?”
Silence.
Grant finally said, “What exactly are you accusing me of?”
Nathan remembered Detective Ruiz’s warning.
Do not confront him.
He had already come too close.
“Nothing,” Nathan said.
“For now.”
Grant’s voice became colder.
“You should be careful, Nathan.”
“Why?”
“Because right now the public sees a father who attacked the man saving his child.”
Nathan’s jaw tightened.
Grant continued.
“And if you lose control of the board, you may not have a company left to protect.”
The call ended.
Nathan looked at David.
“Call a board meeting.”
David frowned.
“For what?”
“I want Grant suspended.”
Jake shook his head.
“Don’t.”
Nathan looked at him.
Jake said, “If he’s involved, you’ll warn him.”
Nathan knew Jake was right.
Nathan also knew himself.
For years, power had meant acting immediately.
May you like
This time he had to do something far harder.
Wait.
