Chương 12
Naomi called her.
“Do not respond publicly.”
“I wasn’t going to.”
“Do not respond privately to employees either.”
“Linda called me.”
“Do not call her back.”
“This accusation could affect my career.”
“Yes.”
“Will Cypress Ridge defend me?”
“We will state, if necessary, that you disclosed the relationship and were recused from approval. We will not litigate a family dispute in the press.”
Claire read Richard’s email again.
Certain members of the Mercer family.
Plural, though he meant her.
“What if he keeps talking?”
“Then he increases his own risk.”
“That does not answer my question.”
“It is the answer available today.”
Claire spent the afternoon in her hotel room. She had moved to a cheaper extended-stay place near the interstate because the first hotel’s conference rate ended. The room had a kitchenette with one fork, two spoons, and a pan too large for the electric burner.
She bought eggs and burned them.
At four, she received a text from Ellen.
Your father says you are trying to buy the company for less than it is worth.
Claire typed three responses and deleted each one.
Finally, she wrote: The original offer was $31.5 million. New debt and undisclosed liabilities reduced the valuation. I did not make either decision.
Ellen replied: He says the liabilities were always there.
Claire wrote: They were not disclosed.
Her mother did not answer.
At seven, someone knocked.
Claire looked through the peephole and saw Vanessa with a suitcase.
When Claire opened the door, Vanessa said, “Daniel changed the locks.”
“To the condo?”
“Yes.”
“Can he do that?”
“He says it belongs to his father’s trust because the down payment came from them.”
“Did it?”
“I don’t know anymore.”
Claire moved aside.
Vanessa entered wearing leggings, a university sweatshirt, and the engagement ring. Her makeup had worn away beneath her eyes. She placed the suitcase near the kitchenette and looked around.
“This is depressing.”
“It was affordable.”
“There’s a highway outside the window.”
“I noticed.”
Vanessa sat on the edge of the second bed. “Rebecca found me a lawyer.”
“Good.”
“She said not to talk to you about documents.”
“Then don’t.”
“I hate everyone.”
“That is allowed.”
“Do you have food?”
“I burned eggs.”
“Of course you did.”
Claire looked at her. “What does that mean?”
“You can negotiate thirty-million-dollar acquisitions, but you cook eggs like they owe you money.”
Despite everything, Claire smiled.
Vanessa opened the small refrigerator. “There is mustard and six yogurts.”
“I bought a pack.”
“You don’t even like strawberry.”
“It was the pack.”
Vanessa chose one, peeled back the lid, and ate standing at the counter.
For several minutes, they said nothing.
Traffic moved beyond the window in a steady wash of sound. The air conditioner clicked on, rattled, and clicked off again.
Finally, Vanessa said, “Daniel knew about the trust.”
Claire kept her eyes on the countertop.
“He found an old statement last year,” Vanessa continued. “He asked Dad why Mercer Family Holdings had money from Grandma. Dad said it was all family capital and would be settled when the company sold.”
“Did Daniel tell you?”
“Not then.”
“When?”
“Today. He said he assumed I knew.”
“What else did he assume?”
“That the house would become ours after the wedding.”
Claire turned. “The LLC owns the house, and he owns part of the LLC.”
“He said Dad promised to transfer the rest.”
“In exchange for the loan?”
“Yes.”
“Did Mom know?”
“Daniel says she signed.”
“That does not mean she knew.”
Vanessa scraped the yogurt cup with the spoon. “You give Mom more innocence than you give me.”
“No, I don’t.”
“You do. You think she’s trapped. You think I’m spoiled.”
“I think both things can be partly true.”
Vanessa set the empty cup down. “Daniel says Dad took the one-point-two because the company would have failed last winter.”
“That may be true.”
“He says Cypress Ridge is using paperwork to steal the plant.”
“That is what lenders say when buyers find debt.”
“Is the new price fair?”
“I am not allowed to evaluate it now.”
“You know.”
Claire hesitated. “Twenty-seven point eight may still be generous if two contracts can terminate.”
“So Dad should take it.”
“That is his decision.”
“Stop talking like a lawyer.”
“I am trying not to control you.”
“Well, it’s annoying.”
Claire sat across from her. “What do you want?”
“I want Daniel to open the condo. I want Dad to tell the truth. I want Mom not to lose the house. I want you not to leave when this is over.”
The last sentence came out quickly, almost carelessly.
Claire looked at her sister.
Vanessa picked at the corner of the yogurt label. “You asked.”
“I live in Dallas.”
“I know where you live.”
“I have a job.”
“I know what jobs are.”
“Do you?”
Vanessa threw the spoon into the sink. It struck the metal loudly.
“There,” she said. “That.”
Claire stood. “I’m sorry.”
“You always wait until after.”
“After what?”
“After you say the thing you believe.”
Claire opened her mouth, then closed it.
Vanessa lay back on the bed and covered her face with both hands. The engagement ring caught the yellow light.
“I don’t know if Daniel loves me,” she said.
Claire sat beside her.
Vanessa moved over an inch, which was permission.
“He may,” Claire said.
“That’s not helpful.”
“No.”
“Do you think he does?”
“I think people can love you and still calculate what comes with you.”
“Is that what you do?”
“What?”
“Calculate.”
Claire watched the air conditioner vent tremble.
“Yes,” she said. “Usually before I let anyone matter.”
Vanessa lowered her hands. “That sounds miserable.”
“It’s efficient.”
“That sounds like Dad.”
Claire flinched.
Vanessa saw it and looked almost pleased, then ashamed.
“Sorry,” she said.
“No. You’re not.”
They both laughed, quietly this time.
Ellen arrived the next morning carrying another grocery bag.
She stopped when she saw Vanessa’s suitcase.
“What happened?”
May you like
“Daniel changed the locks,” Vanessa said.
Ellen looked at Claire as if Claire had arranged it.
