Chapter 9 - Ethan Changed The House Rules
Ethan created three new rules.
No child would lose food as punishment.
No adult could demand secrecy from Mason about discipline.
And Mason could always call Ethan, Grace, or another trusted adult.
Simple.
Visible.
Written on the refrigerator.
Mason added a fourth in blue marker:
NO THROWING AWAY PIZZA.
Ethan laughed.
“Agreed.”
Grace began helping after school twice a week.
Ethan reduced late meetings.
It cost him professionally.
He accepted that.
One afternoon Mason asked:
“Are you doing less work because I told?”
“I changed some work because I realized I needed to be here more.”
“Did I cause it?”
“No.”
“Promise?”
“Promise.”
Ethan did not want Mason learning another dangerous lesson.
That telling the truth created burdens for adults.
Vanessa continued cooperating with investigators.
She entered therapy voluntarily.
Through her attorney, she asked whether she could write Mason an
apology.
The therapist advised waiting.
Ethan followed that advice.
Vanessa did not get access simply because she felt remorse.
Thomas’s case developed slowly.
Forensic accountants confirmed significant estate misconduct.
Some conduct was too old for certain charges.
Other transactions were recent enough to pursue.
Civil claims moved separately.
Ryan apologized to Ethan.
“I should’ve come to you.”
“Yes.”
“I thought you’d shut me out because you hated talking about Claire.”
Ethan considered it.
“You might’ve been right.”
Ryan looked surprised.
“That still doesn’t make hiding it right.”
“I know.”
The two men began repairing their relationship.
Not for the investigation.
For Mason.
Ryan was his uncle.
He had disappeared from the boy’s life after Claire’s death because
being around Ethan hurt.
Mason had lost another person without understanding why.
Ryan began showing up again.
Soccer.
Birthdays.
Sunday lunch.
One evening, he brought a small wooden box.
“Claire gave me this a week before she died.”
Inside was a key.
May you like
Ethan recognized the logo stamped on it.
A bank safe-deposit key.
