Chapter 10 - The Lie Goes Public
By noon, Emma's name was everywhere.
Reporters stood outside her apartment building.
Her mother's insurance provider called to "verify employment status."
A stranger left a message calling Emma a gold digger.
She sat in the Callahan guest room staring at her phone.
Grant knocked once.
"Can I come in?"
"Sure."
He held out a paper.
"Your employment and benefits are guaranteed for a year whether you stay or leave."
Emma looked at him.
"I don't want charity."
"It isn't charity. It's protection from retaliation that happened because you protected my daughter."
She read the page.
"My mom's coverage too?"
"Yes."
Emma's eyes burned.
"Thank you."
He nodded.
"You shouldn't have had to worry about that while someone was threatening you."
Downstairs, Ruiz prepared a public statement confirming an active criminal investigation without naming Lily.
Then Margaret Dunn arrived.
She walked into the foyer carrying a briefcase and looking offended.
"I've been trying to reach you."
Grant stared at her.
"Police found your fingerprints on the drug tin."
Margaret stopped.
"That is absurd."
"You want to explain before Detective Ruiz does?"
Margaret looked toward the door.
Too late.
Ruiz stepped in.
"Ms. Dunn, we'd like you to come downtown."
Margaret's calm disappeared.
"Grant, I worked for your father."
"That doesn't answer the question."
"I protected this family."
"From what?"
Margaret laughed once.
"From Claire."
The room went quiet.
Nathan stepped closer.
"What did you say?"
Margaret's eyes sharpened.
"Claire was going to destroy the company over things she didn't understand."
Grant stared.
"She understood enough to die for it."
Margaret flinched.
Ruiz handcuffed her.
As they led her out, Margaret turned back.
"You still think Renata is the center of this?"
Grant's expression changed.
Margaret smiled bitterly.
"She was useful. That's all."
"Who was in charge?"
Margaret looked at Nathan.
Not Grant.
Nathan went pale.
Then Margaret said:
"Ask your father what he started."
When Margaret was taken away, the staff gathered in uneasy silence. Many of them had known her for years.
Grant faced them.
May you like
"No one here is required to protect the Callahan name," he said. "If you saw something, heard something, or were told to keep quiet, tell Detective Ruiz. Your job will not depend on your silence."
Maria began crying. Two other employees raised their hands.
