Chapter 12 - The Price of a Lie
Clara received the lawsuit at Nina's apartment while Emma slept against her shoulder. She didn't cry when she called me. Her voice was sharp and tired.
"They've put my name on a loan I never saw. You understand what this could do to my license, my work, my reputation?"
"Priya is challenging it."
"I need my own lawyer, Adrian. Not yours."
"Of course. I'll cover it if you'll let me."
"I need you to stop thinking money answers every question."
She was right. Again. We agreed that any legal support would be handled through counsel, without strings and without me directing her defense. The foundation's independent board retained a separate forensic accounting firm. The lender agreed to suspend immediate action while the disputed signatures were examined, but nothing was settled.
That afternoon, Rosa met investigators and supplied a date-stamped photograph of the removed stair gate. She also identified the maintenance worker who had been told to sign Nolan's false repair order. The worker confirmed that nobody was scheduled to paint the wall.
Moreno showed me none of the confidential witness statements. She told me only what I needed to know: the case was progressing and I must not contact Vanessa or Nolan to seek a confession.
At dusk, I drove past Haven House. A temporary notice now listed emergency repair contractors chosen by the independent board. Tessa was helping carry bags into a van headed for safe housing. I rolled down my window.
"I'm sorry," I said. "You asked us to help, and we didn't listen."
"Don't apologize through a car window," she replied. "Show up when this isn't a headline."
I promised her I would. I knew promises were cheap.
May you like
At nine, Olivia called from Nina's phone. "Dad, I think someone's following me from school. A dark SUV was parked by the gym."
Before I could ask where she was, I heard her gasp. The call ended.
