Chapter 4
Richard laid the forged recommendation on the desk.
Nobody touched it.
Mark’s shoulders had become rigid.
Claudia’s expression remained composed, but her breathing had changed.
Shorter now.
Controlled.
Richard noticed everything.
“Who forged it?”
Mark’s voice came out low.
“You're making this bigger than it is.”
Richard stared at him.
“A forged doctor’s recommendation to remove a three-year-old from his home is small?”
“He needs help.”
“Then why lie?”
Mark’s hand flexed beside his thigh.
Claudia stepped in before he answered.
“Because nobody says no to you.”
Richard’s eyes shifted toward her.
There it was again.
Confidence returning whenever she could turn accusation into attack.
“You see Noah cry and suddenly everyone else becomes cruel.”
She stepped closer.
“You weren't here at three in the morning when he screamed for his mother. You weren't here when Mark couldn't get him to eat. You weren't here when he started accusing people of things that never happened.”
Richard’s gaze sharpened.
“What things?”
Claudia stopped.
Mark looked toward her.
The room became still.
Richard asked again.
“What did Noah accuse people of?”
Mark’s voice turned rough.
“Dad.”
Richard ignored him.
Claudia’s fingers slowly closed around her ring.
Then she smiled.
A small, unpleasant smile.
“You want to know why your son has been terrified of a toddler talking?”
Mark’s head turned sharply.
“Claudia.”
She looked at him.
For the first time that night, she had the power.
Mark knew it.
Richard saw it.
Claudia continued.
“Ask Mark where he really was the night Sarah died.”
Mark’s face drained.
Richard stared at his son.
The official account returned instantly.
Sarah had left the lodge alone.
Mark had supposedly remained home with Noah.
Her SUV went off Red Mountain Road shortly after midnight.
Richard spoke quietly.
“You told the police you were here.”
Mark’s lips parted.
No sound came.
Claudia’s smile disappeared as she realized Richard was no longer looking at her.
He was looking only at his son.
May you like
Then Richard asked:
“Were you?”
