Chapter 7 - Rachel’s Letter
Rachel had written six pages.
Marcus could only read four before he had to stand.
Amelia waited silently.
Rachel’s handwriting had always slanted slightly left.
Even when writing grocery lists.
Even when writing something that now felt like a message from the grave.
Marcus,
If you are reading this, there is a conflict over Fairhaven or over Lucy’s care. I hope I was paranoid. I hope this letter embarrasses me someday.
If it doesn’t, listen.
Owen has been asking questions about my family trust.
Marcus stopped.
He looked at Amelia.
“Rachel suspected Owen.”
“Keep reading.”
Owen knows Fairhaven becomes Lucy’s. He knows you can live there but cannot transfer it to a new spouse. He joked twice that land like this is “wasted on sentiment.”
Marcus remembered Owen saying exactly that.
At dinners.
Laughing.
Rachel continued.
I don’t think Owen is dangerous to Lucy. I think he is dangerous to your judgment because you trust him more than you verify him.
Marcus pressed his fist against his mouth.
The next paragraph was worse.
And you are vulnerable when you feel guilty. If I die, you will feel guilty. You will work. You will tell yourself that providing stability is the same as being present. It isn’t.
Marcus lowered the pages.
Amelia said nothing.
He forced himself onward.
Do not give anyone authority over Lucy simply because they make your life easier.
The room blurred.
Three years earlier, Bianca had entered his life when everything was difficult.
She was confident where Marcus was numb.
Organized where he was chaotic.
She loved horses.
Rachel had loved horses.
Lucy had adored Bianca at first.
Marcus had mistaken familiarity for destiny.
The final page named another person.
Dr. Samuel Price.
Rachel’s estate lawyer at the time.
The same surname as the fake psychologist reports.
Marcus frowned.
“Mallory Price.”
Amelia was already searching.
“Samuel Price has a daughter named Mallory.”
Marcus felt cold.
“The psychologist Bianca impersonated?”
“Possibly.”
Detective Nolan arrived within the hour.
Mallory Price confirmed she had never treated Lucy.
But her father, Samuel, had drafted Rachel’s final trust amendment.
He had died two years earlier.
His archived correspondence revealed something else.
Owen had contacted him after Rachel’s death asking whether the no-sale clause could be challenged.
“Why wasn’t I told?” Marcus asked.
“Attorney-client confidentiality and file retention,” Amelia said. “Rachel was the client. Samuel noted the inquiry but never acted.”
Nolan turned to Marcus.
“Bianca may have discovered this through Owen.”
“So Rachel saw him coming.”
“Partly.”
Marcus read the letter again that night.
He expected anger at Bianca.
Instead he felt Rachel’s disappointment.
You trust him more than you verify him.
At eleven, Lucy came downstairs.
Marcus quickly folded the letter.
“Bad dream?”
She nodded.
He lifted her onto the sofa.
She pressed against him.
“Is Mommy talking to you?”
Marcus nearly stopped breathing.
“What?”
“In the paper.”
He smiled painfully.
“In a way.”
“Did she say I was bad?”
“No.”
Lucy relaxed.
“She said you were the most important person in her life.”
“More than you?”
Marcus laughed despite himself.
“Definitely more than me.”
Lucy thought about that.
“Bianca said Mommy changed the papers because she didn’t trust you.”
Marcus’s smile vanished.
There it was.
Another distortion built from truth.
“Mommy worried I might make mistakes.”
“Did you?”
“Yes.”
Lucy looked surprised by the answer.
Marcus touched her hair.
“Grown-ups make terrible mistakes sometimes.”
“Like hitting?”
He knew what she meant.
“Yes.”
“Like leaving?”
“Yes.”
She put her head on his shoulder.
“Are you leaving now?”
“No.”
The following morning, Bianca’s criminal attorney requested a meeting with prosecutors.
She wanted to proffer information.
Not a guilty plea.
Information.
In exchange, she wanted reduced charges.
Marcus was not permitted in the meeting.
Amelia attended as his civil counsel for related financial matters.
When she emerged two hours later, her expression was grim.
“What?”
“Bianca says Owen planned the fraud.”
“We know that.”
“She says he also encouraged the behavioral documentation.”
“We know that too.”
Amelia paused.
“She says the physical punishments were her idea.”
Marcus looked away.
At least she had not blamed him for that.
“Anything else?”
“She says Owen was in the blue room once.”
Lucy’s statement.
Marcus’s pulse quickened.
“Doing what?”
“Arguing with Bianca.”
“About?”
“Lucy.”
Amelia handed Marcus a transcript excerpt from Bianca’s statement.
Owen: You’re going too far.
Bianca: Then make Marcus stay home.
Owen: That ruins everything.
Bianca: Exactly.
Marcus read it again.
Owen had known.
He had objected.
But not because Lucy was suffering.
Because the abuse risked the plan.
Marcus lowered the paper.
“What did Bianca want in exchange?”
“Probation.”
Marcus laughed bitterly.
“She thinks she can beat a six-year-old and buy probation by giving them Owen.”
“The prosecutor didn’t agree.”
“Good.”
Amelia remained uneasy.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
“Bianca claims there’s another recording.”
“Of me?”
“Yes.”
Marcus felt the old fear rise.
“What did I say this time?”
“She wouldn’t specify.”
Amelia hesitated.
“She only said it was made the night you asked her to marry you.”
Marcus stared.
That night had been at Fairhaven.
Rachel’s anniversary of death.
Marcus had been drinking.
And suddenly he remembered telling Bianca something he had never told another living person.
May you like
Something about Lucy.
Something unforgivable.
