Chapter 16 - What Thomas Did
They found Thomas at Robert's grave.
He was sitting on the wet grass with both hands visible.
He looked at Daniel and said, "I knew she'd say it eventually."
"Is it true?"
Thomas stared at his brother's name carved into stone.
"Partly."
Robert had severe heart disease.
The night before he died, he and Thomas argued about filing the foundation amendment.
Robert wanted to expose Patricia immediately.
Thomas begged him to wait until they could protect Daniel from the scandal.
They fought.
Robert reached for his medication.
Thomas took the bottle.
"Why?"
"Because he was furious. His doctor had warned him not to take extra doses. I thought he was panicking."
"You took his heart medicine away?"
"For ten minutes."
Robert collapsed before Thomas returned it.
Thomas called 911.
Paramedics could not save him.
"Did you mean for him to die?"
"No."
"Why hide it?"
Thomas's face broke.
"Because Patricia knew. She saw me leave the room with the bottle. She told me if I exposed her, she'd tell police I murdered him."
So Thomas stayed silent.
Patricia inherited the leverage.
Daniel sat on the grass several feet away.
"You could have told me."
"I was ashamed."
"So was Dad."
Thomas nodded.
"I know."
Daniel finally understood the family curse had never been theft alone.
It was the belief that shame became safer when hidden.
Evan approached with new information.
Patricia's devices had been searched.
They found the person monitoring Lily's birthday.
The transmitter.
The receiver.
The photograph from preschool.
All linked to one contractor.
Daniel expected a stranger.
Evan showed him the name.
Rebecca Sloan.
May you like
Daniel's attorney.
His closest professional adviser for eleven years.
