Chapter 7 - THE WOMAN THEY SENT AWAY
Rosa was sixty-two, exhausted, and furious in the quiet way of someone who had spent years being ignored.
"I cared for Eleanor after her stroke," she said. "She understood everything. The words were just harder to reach."
"Victoria told me Mom was declining," Nathaniel said.
"Victoria told everyone. Then she took away the speech tablet and stopped the therapist's visits."
Rusk cleared his throat. "These accusations are serious."
"So is locking a person's voice in a drawer," Rosa replied.
She pulled a phone from her box and played a recording. Eleanor's halting voice filled the room.
"Don't... give... her... the fund."
Victoria's voice followed, smooth as silk. "You're tired, Eleanor. We're not discussing that again."
Nathaniel closed his eyes. Emma could see him replaying every time he'd accepted an excuse instead of insisting on seeing his mother alone.
"Why didn't you send this to me?" he asked.
"I did," Rosa answered. "Three emails. I was fired the next morning."
Rusk shifted near the door. Nathaniel turned on him. "Find those emails."
"Of course, sir."
Emma watched his hand slip toward the pocket holding his phone. She stepped between him and the office exit.
"Maybe somebody else should find them."
Nathaniel nodded once. "Owen, give me your access card."
Rusk didn't move.
May you like
A second later, Nathaniel's phone buzzed with a message from Victoria: BRING THE WAITRESS TO ME. I HAVE SOMETHING HER FATHER WANTS BACK.
Attached was a photograph of Frank's missing red notebook.
