Chapter 5 - The Lawyer
Grant Bell arrived the next morning wearing a navy suit, an expensive watch, and outrage so polished it looked rehearsed.
"A cuff link?" he said. "That's your evidence?"
Detective Castillo stood in the Hawthorne library with her arms folded.
"It's evidence that your property was found inside a house entered without permission."
Grant smiled. "I attended a party here yesterday."
"Upstairs in the nursery?"
The smile thinned.
Rachel watched from the sofa. Jason stood behind her, one hand on her shoulder.
Grant had been the Hawthorne family attorney for almost twenty years. He had handled Jason's father's estate, Vanessa's foundation, the family trust, and every scandal Vanessa had ever managed to bury beneath charitable donations.
"I was never in that nursery," Grant said.
Mia leaned against the fireplace. "You were at Rachel's clinic garage with Mom three weeks ago."
Grant looked at her.
Too quickly.
Mia smiled without humor. "Thanks. That answered me."
"I meet Vanessa in many places."
"A maternity clinic?"
"She was concerned about Rachel's health."
Rachel laughed. "She pushed me into a pool."
"Allegedly."
Jason stepped forward.
"Say that again."
Castillo lifted a hand. "Mr. Hawthorne."
Grant adjusted his cuff. "This family is under stress. I suggest everyone avoid accusations that could become expensive."
"Was that a threat?" Rachel asked.
"Advice."
"Then here's mine," she said. "Get out of my house."
Grant's eyes shifted to her belly.
"You may want to reconsider what you call yours."
The room went still.
Jason's hand dropped from Rachel's shoulder.
"What does that mean?"
Grant sighed as though they were children wasting his morning.
"It means your father's trust has conditions. Conditions Vanessa has spent years protecting."
Mia frowned. "What conditions?"
Grant picked up his briefcase.
"Ask your mother."
Castillo blocked the door. "You're not leaving yet."
Grant finally lost his smile.
Then Rachel's phone rang.
Dr. Patel.
Rachel answered on speaker.
"Rachel, we found the forged chart request," the doctor said. "But there's something else."
"What?"
"Someone added a psychiatric note to your record last month."
Rachel stared at the phone.
"I have never seen a psychiatrist there."
"I know. The note is false."
Grant stopped moving.
Dr. Patel continued.
"It says you are emotionally unstable and may be a danger to yourself after delivery."
May you like
Rachel looked straight at Grant.
And for the first time, the lawyer looked afraid.
