Chapter 7 - Evelyn Had Not Come Alone
The two men with Evelyn were not bodyguards.
One was attorney Marcus Sloan.
The other was forensic accountant David Kim.
They had spent eighteen months reconstructing Thomas Mercer’s old
records.
Evelyn had returned to Illinois after Edward Vale died.
She did not contact Claire immediately.
She was ashamed.
Afraid.
And still bound by parts of the settlement until lawyers challenged
them.
That explanation hurt Claire too.
Richard was not responsible for every year of silence.
Evelyn had made choices.
Bad ones.
Fearful ones.
Claire told her so.
“You let him decide for you.”
Evelyn nodded.
“Yes.”
“You let me hate you.”
“Yes.”
“Do you know what that did to me?”
Evelyn cried.
“Yes.”
Claire shook her head.
May you like
“No. You know what it did to you.”
That ended the conversation for the night.
