Chapter 6 - BEFORE THE LADLEThe old phone captured twenty-three minutes before the police entered.
The first eight were almost boring.
Ethan:
“Sign the temporary credit authority.”
Me:
“No.”
Kelsey:
“Three properties need HVAC work.”
Me:
“Then send the invoices.”
Ethan:
“They’re already in the box.”
Me:
“Northvale’s aren’t.”
Kelsey:
“You don’t understand operations.”
Me:
“I understand related-party vendors.”
Then Ethan said:
“You’re making business decisions because you’re angry about our marriage.”
I answered:
“And you’re asking your pregnant wife to hand financial control to the man sleeping with the office manager.”
Kelsey stepped forward.
“Don’t talk about me like I’m some whore.”
I said:
“Then leave my house.”
Ethan:
“Stop.”
Me:
“She was told not to come.”
Kelsey:
“It’s his house too.”
I looked at Ethan.
He did not correct her.
Then I said:
“You brought her here because you thought two people could pressure me better than one.”
The recording showed Ethan smiling slightly.
Not the later smile.
This one was dismissive.
“You always think everything is strategy, Claire.”
Then Kelsey saw the soup ladle on the spoon rest.
She picked it up.
I said:
May you like
“Put that down.”
She didn’t.
