Chapter 16 - The Invitation
The unknown number belonged to Marcus.
He admitted it Sunday morning.
“I didn’t want my mother intercepting the message.”
Claire had him on speaker with Maya present.
“What recording?”
“My mother recorded meetings.”
“Why?”
“Insurance.”
“Against whom?”
“Everyone.”
Marcus sounded exhausted.
“She has an original audio file discussing Black Pine, the trust plan, and breakfast.”
“Why haven’t you given it to investigators?”
“Because I don’t have it.”
“You said you had proof.”
“I know where it is.”
“Behind the pantry?”
“No. She moved it.”
Claire exchanged a look with Maya.
“Why should I believe you?”
“You shouldn’t. But you should believe my mother keeps leverage.”
“Then tell the sheriff where it is.”
“She’ll deny access. The recorder is in her personal lockbox.”
“Search warrants exist.”
“Not on your schedule. The board votes tomorrow.”
There it was.
Time.
Always time.
Marcus continued.
“She wants to meet you tonight.”
“Why?”
“To make a deal.”
“I’m done making deals with Reeds.”
“She says if you block Black Pine, she gives prosecutors material that makes me the architect of everything.”
Claire was silent.
“And if I don’t?”
“She gives the board material making you look complicit in High Crest.”
“That’s absurd.”
“She has emails with your signature.”
“Forged.”
“Prove it before tomorrow morning.”
Maya ended the call.
Claire paced.
“She’s blackmailing both sides.”
“Essentially.”
“I want to go.”
“You’re not going alone.”
“She specifically said alone.”
“That is not a magical legal command.”
Maya contacted Ortiz.
By late afternoon a plan was in place.
Claire could meet Margaret at the chalet because Claire had lawful access to the property.
She would not wear a wire provided by law enforcement because the investigation had not reached that stage.
But under Colorado law, a participant could generally record a conversation to which she was a party.
Maya told Claire to avoid playing detective.
“Do not bait confessions with promises you cannot make. Do not threaten. Do not touch anything Margaret claims is private. Keep yourself safe.”
“And if she shows me the recorder?”
“Ask for it.”
“That simple?”
“Simple is underrated.”
Ethan stayed with Sophie and Dana-approved childcare at the hotel.
Before Claire left, Ethan ran toward her.
“Mommy go?”
“I have to talk to Grandma.”
His face fell.
Claire knelt.
“I am coming back.”
He touched her coat zipper.
“Promise?”
Claire’s throat tightened.
“Promise.”
At 5:58 p.m., Claire entered the breakfast hall.
Margaret sat at the same table.
The white cloth had been replaced.
The pantry stood open.
No lock.
Marcus stood near the fireplace.
Claire stopped.
“You said this was Margaret.”
Marcus answered, “She insisted I come.”
Margaret poured tea.
“Sit down.”
Claire remained standing.
“No.”
Margaret smiled faintly.
“You finally learned.”
“Where is the recorder?”
“Always impatient.”
“Where is it?”
Margaret looked toward the pantry.
“You think this started because Marcus wanted your company.”
“It did.”
“No. Marcus wanted your approval.”
Marcus snapped, “Mother.”
Margaret ignored him.
“He spent eleven years resenting the fact that he was still the man who married William Bellamy’s daughter.”
Claire looked at Marcus.
His face hardened.
Margaret continued.
“I wanted Black Pine.”
“Because of the water rights.”
“Because your father cheated my family out of them.”
Claire frowned.
Margaret’s composure sharpened.
“My father held an option on that western parcel thirty years ago. William found a technical defect, bought the land from the owner, and built his empire.”
Claire had never heard this.
“That doesn’t make the land yours.”
“No. It made revenge mine.”
Marcus stepped forward.
“This is irrelevant.”
Margaret laughed.
“You told yourself it was business because you were too weak to admit you wanted to become William.”
Claire’s phone recorded from inside her coat pocket.
Margaret looked directly at her.
“I will give you everything.”
“The recorder?”
“Everything.”
“In exchange for?”
“You allow Red Summit to purchase Black Pine.”
“No.”
“Then tomorrow your board receives evidence showing your signature on every High Crest authorization.”
“Forged evidence.”
“Evidence takes time to defeat.”
Claire stared at her.
“And Ethan?”
For the first time, Margaret looked away.
“What about him?”
“You used him.”
“I disciplined him.”
“You starved a three-year-old to manipulate me.”
Marcus said, “I told you he was supposed to eat first.”
Margaret turned.
“You told me, and I quote, ‘Keep him hungry enough that she notices.’”
Marcus went white.
Silence.
Claire felt her pulse in her throat.
Margaret smiled without warmth.
“Yes, Marcus. I recorded that too.”
May you like
From her handbag, she removed the silver recorder.
And placed it in the center of the breakfast table.
