Chapter 7 - The Dead Man at Gate C12
Marcus Vane had collapsed near Gate C12 with a one-way ticket to Lisbon in his pocket.
Police called it a probable heart attack.
Mason did not.
"He had a flash drive taped inside his sock."
August stared at him across the study.
"What's on it?"
"We don't know yet. Police have it."
Victoria sat rigidly near the fireplace.
"You see?" she said. "Marcus was running."
"From what?" August asked.
"From Caroline's accusations."
Nora shook her head. "Dead men are convenient."
Elsie entered holding June Bell's hand.
June had worked for the Caldwell family since Caroline was thirteen.
"She wouldn't eat," June said softly.
August crouched. "What do you want?"
"Toast."
"I can make toast."
Elsie looked doubtful.
June smiled. "He cannot."
Then Elsie saw Victoria.
She moved behind August.
Victoria noticed.
"So now I'm a monster to a child I've never met?"
Elsie reached into her backpack.
"I saw you before."
Victoria's face tightened.
"Where?"
"At the motel."
August went still.
"What motel?"
Elsie looked at him. "The one we stayed at when Mom got sick."
"When?"
"Last winter."
Victoria stood too quickly.
"She's confused."
Elsie shook her head.
"You gave Mom an envelope."
August's voice dropped. "What envelope?"
"I don't know. Mom burned it."
Nora stepped closer. "Did you hear them talking?"
Elsie nodded slowly.
"Mom said, 'I won't sign it.'"
Victoria said, "Children invent things."
Elsie stared straight at her.
"Then you said, 'You already know what happens when you say no.'"
August walked toward Victoria.
"What did you want Caroline to sign?"
Victoria backed into the armchair.
"Nothing."
Mason's phone buzzed.
"We got a preliminary inventory from Marcus's luggage."
He looked at August.
"There was a notarized guardianship petition inside."
"For whom?"
Mason's eyes moved to Elsie.
"For her."
August felt the room tilt.
Nora snatched the paper from Mason.
May you like
The petitioner listed was not Victoria.
It was August Caldwell.
