Chapter 7
Margaret began talking after that.
Not because she became brave.
Because Richard had finally insulted her once too often.
“They were going to move Lily.”
Daniel stared at her.
“What?”
Interesting.
He hadn’t known everything.
Margaret looked at me.
“After nine.”
“Where?”
“Old gardener’s cottage.”
Richard snapped:
“Shut up.”
She laughed.
“No.”
He stared.
For the first time, Margaret sounded almost surprised by her own refusal.
“You kept telling me I was stupid.”
Richard stepped toward her.
“You are.”
She flinched.
He smiled.
“See? One raised voice and you shrink.”
I moved between them.
Richard looked at me.
“That’s what discipline produces.”
“No.”
I stared.
“That’s what abuse produces.”
Lily whispered:
“Grandpa says I eat on floor too.”
Every adult froze.
I turned.
“What?”
She looked afraid.
“Yesterday.”
Margaret closed her eyes.
Daniel whispered:
“Mom?”
Margaret started crying.
Richard rolled his eyes.
“Here we go.”
I crouched in front of Lily.
“What happened yesterday?”
“Grandpa said chair is for family.”
My chest tightened.
“And dinner?”
She pointed toward Richard.
“He put plate down there.”
Floor.
Like a dog.
Richard shrugged.
“She refused to say thank you.”
Margaret whispered:
“She was hungry.”
“And?”
That word again.
He looked at me.
“Children don’t die from missing dignity.”
Lily held up the crushed Christmas card.
“I made this after.”
My throat tightened.
“For Grandpa?”
She nodded.
Despite everything.
Because three-year-olds keep trying to earn love from adults who don’t deserve them.
Richard looked at the card.
“Throw it away.”
Lily’s eyes filled.
I took it carefully.
“No.”
He smiled.
“Sentimental weakness.”
Then the radio cracked.
“Boss, west gate contact.”
“How many?”
“Four visible.”
“Calders?”
“Yes.”
Richard’s smile widened.
My captain continued:
“And one Hart man is opening the inner gate for them.”
I looked at Daniel.
He shook his head.
Not him.
Then Mark Hart walked into the room.
Daniel’s younger cousin.
Senior security commander.
He saw the radio in my hand.
May you like
Stopped.
And reached slowly for his gun.
