Chapter 14 - THE PRICE OF SILENCE
The offer was printed on expensive paper. It described my near drowning as a regrettable misunderstanding, and it promised to refinance the hotel if I signed a declaration withdrawing my accusation.
"They can't buy my memory," I said.
"They're trying to buy your fear," Leah replied.
I was afraid. The house we lived in was tied to Owen's company income. Our daughter would be here in a few weeks. His family had already taken so much of my peace, and the thought of losing our home made my stomach tighten.
Owen sat beside me at the kitchen table. "We'll rent if we have to. We'll sell the car. I'm not asking you to lie for the hotel."
"You might have said that sooner."
"I know."
We were collecting those two words like loose change. They were not enough yet, but they were real.
Leah told Graham's attorney that the proposed statement would be preserved and provided to investigators. Then she called the bank to separate legitimate debts from payments that may have been fraudulent. She was practical where I wanted to be reckless.
"What happens if Serena's arrested?" Owen asked.
"An arrest isn't a conviction," Leah said. "You protect evidence and let the case proceed."
That evening I stood for a moment at the bedroom window with my walker and watched Owen place fresh soil in a planter beside the new ramp. Ruth used to grow rosemary there. She'd told me a house should welcome whoever needed a door opened.
My phone lit up with a message from an unknown number.
YOU THINK YOUR HERO WILL STAY A HERO WHEN SHE LOSES EVERYTHING?
A second message followed: a photograph of Tessa leaving her apartment building that morning.
May you like
My hands went cold.
"Owen," I called. "Get Leah. Now."
