Chapter 3 - What They Didn’t Know About Claire
The front door opened again.
A woman in a dark suit entered first.
“Colonel Parker.”
“Ms. Grant.”
Behind her came a uniformed Army officer carrying a locked document case.
Mom stared at him.
Then at me.
“What is happening?”
I remained calm.
“Mom, this is Elaine Grant, my private litigation counsel.”
Elaine nodded.
“And Lieutenant Colonel Marcus Hale is here in an official advisory capacity regarding matters that could affect Colonel Parker’s federal responsibilities.”
Brian stood immediately.
“This is becoming absurd.”
Marcus looked at him.
“Then perhaps you should stop making it complicated.”
Nobody laughed.
My mother stared at the silver eagle insignia visible on the uniform beneath Marcus’s coat.
Then she looked at me.
“Why would the Army care about Dad’s trust?”
“They don’t.”
“Then why is he here?”
Marcus answered.
“Because someone contacted Colonel Parker’s workplace.”
Silence.
My eyes went to Ray.
His expression gave him away.
Mom turned.
“Ray?”
He looked defensive.
“I made a few calls.”
My voice dropped.
“To whom?”
“Your office.”
“What did you say?”
“That you were hiding assets. Maybe abusing your position.”
Tyler whispered, “Jesus, Ray.”
Ray shrugged.
“I wanted somebody to remind her she isn’t above the law.”
Marcus took one step forward.
“You contacted a secure federal facility and made allegations against the commanding officer of a specialized intelligence unit.”
Ray’s face drained.
“Commanding officer?”
My mother looked at me.
“What is he talking about?”
I didn’t answer.
Marcus did.
“Colonel Parker is not a desk clerk.”
The room became completely still.
My mother stared at me as if seeing a stranger.
“You command a unit?”
“Yes.”
“Since when?”
“Long enough.”
Tyler blinked.
“You told us you worked intelligence.”
“I do.”
“You never said you were…”
“Important?”
He looked embarrassed.
I continued.
“You never asked.”
Elaine placed a folder beside Jonathan’s.
“Now we have another problem.”
Brian frowned.
“What problem?”
“Coercion.”
“We reject that characterization.”
“Of course you do.”
Elaine opened the folder.
“Your client repeatedly told Colonel Parker that refusing to transfer the trust would destroy the family. Mr. Collins contacted her workplace with allegations after she declined previous requests. Tonight she was summoned without being informed five attorneys would be waiting.”
She looked around.
“And then she was presented with documents transferring millions of dollars.”
Brian’s confidence finally began to crack.
“This was intended as negotiation.”
“Negotiations usually involve both sides having representation.”
Jonathan added, “And knowing a negotiation is occurring.”
Mom pointed toward me.
“She’s my daughter!”
I turned.
“That’s exactly why Dad protected the trust.”
Her mouth opened.
Nothing came out.
Then Tyler suddenly spoke.
“Mom, tell her.”
Mom looked at him sharply.
“Be quiet.”
My attention shifted.
“Tell me what?”
“Nothing.”
Tyler stood.
“I’m done with this.”
Ray grabbed his arm.
“Sit down.”
Tyler pulled away.
“Don’t touch me.”
“Tyler,” Mom warned.
He stared at her.
“You said Claire would sign.”
Elaine’s eyes narrowed.
“What else did she say?”
“Tyler!”
He ignored Mom.
“You said this was temporary.”
My stomach tightened.
“What was temporary?”
Tyler looked at me.
“The transfer.”
Jonathan leaned forward.
“Explain.”
Tyler swallowed.
“She said once Claire signed over the trust, we’d refinance everything, move some money into the company, and then…”
“And then what?”
His voice became quieter.
“Move the rest offshore.”
Even Brian Whitaker looked shocked.
Mom shot to her feet.
“He doesn’t know what he’s talking about.”
Jonathan stared at her.
“Diane, please tell me you didn’t actually discuss that.”
Ray stepped forward.
“Conversation over.”
He reached for the documents.
Elaine slapped her hand onto the folder.
“No.”
Ray glared at her.
“Get out of this house.”
I stepped between them.
“Don’t touch anything.”
For the first time that evening, Ray looked uncertain.
Not because I raised my voice.
I didn’t.
My father had taught me that too.
People who control a room rarely need to shout.
Mom looked around desperately.
“Claire, this has gone too far.”
“No.”
May you like
I looked at the unsigned transfer document.
“It went too far before I arrived.”
