Chapter 13 - Friday at Nine
Patrick's car had been abandoned near the harbor. His wallet remained in the glove compartment, and there was no sign of a struggle.
Nina cautioned me not to assume anything until police had facts.
I tried to listen. My thoughts kept jumping to the records he said he'd copied.
Friday morning arrived with sleet on the windows.
At nine, the court heard our request for an emergency preservation order. Judith testified that she had rejected the disputed trust authorization before any valid disbursement could occur.
Nina presented the signatures, the lender correspondence, and the recorded conversations. The judge ordered the contested transactions held and scheduled a longer hearing.
It was the first solid ground I'd felt under my feet since the wedding.
Outside, Celeste stood with Miles beside the courthouse steps.
"You could have saved everyone this trouble," she said.
"You could have left a little boy alone," I answered.
Her eyes sharpened.
"Don't pretend you're a perfect father. He cried for Hannah for two years, and you were never home enough to hear it."
The accusation hurt because I'd worked too many evenings. After Hannah died, I had mistaken providing for Oliver for being fully present.
"You're right about one thing," I said. "I should have been there more. That doesn't make what you did acceptable."
Miles pulled Celeste toward their car.
Before they reached it, a courier delivered a sealed envelope to Nina.
Inside was a notice that Mercer Build had allegedly guaranteed a separate eight-million-dollar loan, using company equipment and receivables as security.
The authorization bore my signature.
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The same date appeared on the document that placed Patrick on administrative leave.
If the lender enforced the guarantee, a hundred twenty employees could lose their jobs.
