Chương 5
“That was one motorcycle.”
“In a kitchen.”
“He moved it.”
“Because it leaked oil.”
“He cleaned the floor.”
Gwen pressed her lips together. It took him a second to recognize the beginning of a smile.
“He said we can use the apartment,” Gavin continued. “It has two bedrooms. I’ll clean it before you leave.”
“You already called him?”
“Last night.”
“Without asking me.”
He turned from the window.
She looked tired, but her voice was steady.
“I’m not going back to your mother’s house,” she said. “But I need you to stop replacing her decisions with yours.”
The truth of it struck before pride could block it.
“I was trying to solve tonight.”
“I know.”
“Do you want a hotel?”
“I don’t know what I want. I woke up yesterday expecting to wash dishes for your mother’s guests. Today strangers are photographing my scalp for a medical chart.”
Gavin put the coffee down.
“You can decide later.”
“That was almost good.”
“What ruined it?”
“You looked like you were waiting for me to thank you.”
He looked away.
Gwen rested her head against the pillow.
“I’m angry at you,” she said.
“I know.”
“No, you’re angry at yourself. That takes up all the room.”
He had no answer.
She closed her eyes.
Gavin went downstairs to make phone calls. He told Marcus they might need the apartment but that Gwen had not decided. Marcus said the place was available either way and asked whether Gavin needed help moving anything.
“Maybe,” Gavin said.
“Is she okay?”
“No.”
Marcus waited.
Gavin added, “She has cancer.”
The word felt unnatural in his mouth.
Marcus exhaled. “Man.”
“I didn’t know.”
“Where are you?”
“Memorial East.”
“I’ll come.”
“No.”
“I didn’t ask whether you wanted me to.”
“Marcus.”
“I’ll bring food. You can ignore me in person.”
Gavin almost told him not to come again. Instead he said, “No motorcycles.”
“Cruel.”
The next call was to Alexis Monroe, the attorney handling his Braddock claim. She answered on the fourth ring.
“Please tell me the insurer accepted our number,” she said.
“Not yet.”
“Then why are you calling before eight?”
He told her about the house, the property transfers, and the recording.
Alexis stopped him twice to ask exact questions. Had he threatened anyone? Had he promised money in exchange for a confession? Did he have legal access to the documents? Had Gwen signed anything under duress? Was anyone in immediate danger?
When he finished, she said, “Do not confront them again.”
“I already did.”
“Do not do it twice.”
“They admitted the property should be put back.”
“They used vague language while reacting to a misleading statement. That is a lead, not a victory.”
“It’s recorded.”
“Which does not magically turn ambiguity into proof.”
Gavin rubbed the bridge of his nose.
“What do I do?”
“First, separate the medical emergency from the financial dispute. Second, preserve everything. Third, do not post that recording online, send it to relatives, or use it as a threat. Fourth, we need an attorney who handles business ownership and financial exploitation. I can refer you.”
“They hurt my wife.”
“Then she may also need an advocate who represents her, not you.”
“We’re married.”
“That is a relationship, not a law license.”
He disliked her tone because it was correct.
Alexis continued. “One more thing. Your settlement email does not say you’re owed four hundred thousand dollars.”
“I know.”
“If your mother relies on that statement and takes action, we need to be careful about how this unfolds. Do not create a fraud problem while trying to uncover another one.”
“I wasn’t asking them for money.”
“You were baiting them.”
“Yes.”
“Bait has hooks on both ends.”
He looked through the hospital lobby windows at people crossing the parking lot beneath a bright blue sky.
“Can you still refer me?”
“Yes. Her name is Tessa Boone. I’ll send the number.”
Marcus arrived carrying a paper bag of breakfast sandwiches and wearing a T-shirt from his dental practice that said FLOSS LIKE YOU MEAN IT. He was forty-two, broad through the middle, and incapable of entering a room quietly.
He handed Gavin the bag.
“You look terrible.”
“Thanks.”
“I mean worse than usual.”
Gavin leaned against the wall near the elevators. “She doesn’t want visitors yet.”
“Fine.”
Marcus stood beside him. For a minute they watched an orderly push an empty wheelchair across the lobby.
“I can clean the apartment,” Marcus said.
“She hasn’t agreed to use it.”
“I can clean it without her living there. It needs cleaning.”
“What’s wrong with it?”
“Nothing serious.”
“Marcus.”
“The refrigerator makes a noise.”
“What kind?”
“A judgmental one.”
Gavin stared at him.
“And the water heater is emotionally inconsistent,” Marcus added. “But there are no motorcycles.”
Despite himself, Gavin laughed once. It came out rough and surprised.
Marcus nodded. “Good. Still in there.”
The laugh vanished.
Gavin told him what happened in the backyard. He left out the details of Gwen’s illness until he reached the shaving. Then he had to stop.
Marcus did not interrupt.
“She covered her head like I was the one who caught her doing something wrong,” Gavin said.
“You pulled the hat off.”
“I didn’t know.”
“I know.”
“I thought Paige had stolen it. She was laughing.”
Marcus looked down at the breakfast bag.
“Did you hurt her?”
“Not physically.”
“That wasn’t what I asked.”
Gavin’s jaw tightened.
Marcus lifted both hands. “You said you didn’t want people lying to you.”
“I don’t.”
“Then don’t punish me for not doing it.”
Gavin took the bag and went upstairs.
Gwen was awake. When he offered her a sandwich, she said the smell made her sick. He set it outside the room and opened the window blinds a little.
“Marcus came,” he said.
“I guessed from the shirt.”
“You saw him?”
“He stood in the hall waving through the glass.”
“He thinks that’s subtle.”
Gavin sat down.
“I called an attorney.”
Her expression changed.
May you like
“For us?”
“For the property. Alexis said you should have your own attorney for anything involving what they made you sign.”
