Chương 16
Detective Bennett called in October. Prosecutors had approved charges related to domestic battery and unlawful restraint. The financial investigation was separate and ongoing. There would be no attempted-murder charge based solely on the insurance policies and assault.
Claire sat at her kitchen table while Bennett explained the next steps.
“Will he be arrested?” Claire asked.
“He will be given an opportunity to surrender through counsel. Conditions of release will be addressed by the court.”
“So he walks in and walks out.”
“Possibly.”
“That’s all?”
“That is not all. It is the beginning of a criminal case.”
Claire looked at the mark on the study wall. “It feels small.”
“I know.”
“Do you?”
Bennett was silent for a moment. “I know that evidence is narrower than experience.”
Dominic surrendered on a Tuesday morning. His booking photograph appeared online before noon. He wore a dark suit and no tie. Comments beneath the local article split instantly.
Some called him a monster.
Some said Claire wanted his money.
Some pointed out that she had inherited more than he earned.
Someone posted a photograph from the hospital foundation gala, Claire smiling beneath Dominic’s hand.
You can always tell by the eyes, one stranger wrote.
Claire stared at the image. She could not tell by her own eyes.
She deleted the social-media apps, then reinstalled one that night. Public opinion moved in waves that had nothing to do with facts. Former acquaintances sent heart emojis. A college classmate she had not spoken to in twelve years asked for details “off the record.” A design blog removed photographs of Claire and Dominic’s house from an old feature.
Martin asked whether press attention would affect clients.
Claire said, “You mean whether being assaulted is bad for business?”
He rubbed his forehead. “I’m asking badly.”
“Yes.”
“Can I ask better?”
“Not today.”
The firm placed a short statement on its website saying Claire remained a valued member of leadership and requesting privacy. It was more support than she expected and less than she wanted.
Her parents’ situation deteriorated. Charles received a target letter in the financial investigation. His attorney advised him to cooperate. Lorraine sold jewelry to cover legal fees, including the diamond earrings she had worn during the ICU call.
Claire learned this from Naomi, not her mother.
“Does that make you feel better?” Naomi asked.
“No.”
“Good.”
“Why good?”
“Because satisfaction would complicate our next conversation.”
Naomi placed a document on the conference table. They were meeting in person now that Claire could travel comfortably. Outside the glass wall, office staff moved between conference rooms carrying laptops and paper cups.
“Your father has offered to provide testimony and records concerning Dominic’s representations,” Naomi said. “In exchange, his counsel is seeking leniency from investigators.”
“What does that have to do with me?”
“He has emails, handwritten notes, and recordings of meetings with Dominic.”
“Recordings?”
“Your father records business meetings for note-taking. Dominic apparently knew some were recorded.”
Claire almost smiled. Charles read appliance warranties and recorded investment pitches. His caution had survived only in useless directions until now.
“The material could strengthen the fraud case,” Naomi continued. “It also includes discussions of your trust, the mortgage application, and the insurance arrangement.”
“What does he want from me?”
“A statement confirming that you believe he was misled.”
“Do I believe that?”
“That is for you to decide.”
“Did he sign false documents?”
“Yes.”
“Did he use my money?”
“Yes.”
“Did he tell me to go back to Dominic because of the house?”
“Yes.”
Naomi folded her hands. “He may have been both deceived and culpable.”
“I hate that sentence.”
“It survives without your approval.”
Claire read the proposed statement. It described Charles as an unsophisticated investor who relied on Dominic’s expertise and believed Claire had authorized the transactions.
“My father is not unsophisticated.”
“Financially, perhaps he was.”
“He ran a company.”
“Operations. Not securities.”
“He knew not to sign my name.”
“He says Dominic provided documents already bearing your signature.”
“And he never asked me.”
“No.”
Claire pushed the statement back. “I won’t sign it.”
“You can provide a narrower truthful statement. You can confirm that Dominic had access to your accounts and passwords, that he often represented himself as acting for you, and that you never personally told your father the transfers were authorized.”
“That helps him.”
“It may.”
“I don’t want to help him.”
Naomi nodded. “Then don’t.”
Claire looked at her attorney suspiciously. “That’s it?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not going to tell me revenge is unhealthy?”
“I am not qualified to waste your money that way.”
Claire leaned back. “What would help the case against Dominic?”
“Your father’s cooperation is already valuable. Your statement may support his account of how the deception worked.”
“So helping Dad helps prosecute Dominic.”
“Potentially.”
“And refusing hurts both.”
“Potentially.”
Claire hated the shape of the choice. She had wanted consequences to arrive cleanly, each person receiving the exact weight of harm they had caused. Instead her father’s evidence might protect him while exposing Dominic. Her truth could become mercy without forgiveness.
“Give me a week,” she said.
During that week, Lorraine came to the house.
She called first.
Claire almost declined, then agreed to fifteen minutes on the porch. Lorraine arrived in a navy coat Claire had owned in college. She had taken it years ago because Claire no longer wore it. Without the diamond earrings, her face looked softer and older.
Milo barked once, then wagged his tail.
“Traitor,” Claire told him.
Lorraine sat on the porch chair. Claire remained standing until her ribs reminded her they had healed but not forgotten. She sat across from her mother.
For a while they listened to a leaf blower somewhere down the street.
“Your father may be charged,” Lorraine said.
“I know.”
“He was foolish.”
“Yes.”
“He was ashamed.”
“Yes.”
“He believed Dominic because Dominic never made him feel old.”
May you like
Claire looked at her.
Lorraine twisted a tissue around one finger. “Your father retired before he was ready. The company restructured. They called it a celebration, but he knew they wanted someone younger. He began talking about investments because he needed to be useful. Dominic asked his opinion. Took him to meetings. Let him speak.”
