Chapter 10 - THE LAST TRIPThree weeks before disappearance, Grant received biggest opportunity of career.
Montgomery Group was negotiating acquisition in Europe.
If completed, board would formally nominate Grant chairman.
Beatrice was thrilled.
“This is what your father wanted.”
Grant looked at Audra.
“I’ll be gone three weeks.”
She smiled.
“We’ll be okay.”
He touched her face.
“You sure?”
“Go.”
Caleb hugged him by door.
Grant crouched.
“Take care of Mom.”
Caleb grinned.
“You take care too, Dad.”
Grant kissed forehead.
Beatrice watched.
Her face showed nothing.
Three days after Grant left, house changed.
Beatrice canceled Lucia’s schedule in east wing.
Camille moved into guest suite “temporarily.”
Audra was excluded from dinner with trustees.
Caleb was told not to use main library.
Why?
“Family rules.”
He began spending more time alone.
One afternoon he wandered past study and heard voices.
Camille:
“Once Grant takes over, she’ll never leave.”
Beatrice:
“She thinks adoption makes that boy one of us.”
Camille:
“He’ll inherit.”
Beatrice:
“Not if Grant eventually has sense.”
Caleb froze.
Then Beatrice said:
“The boy needs to stop feeling so comfortable here.”
A floorboard creaked.
Camille turned.
She saw Caleb.
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“What are you doing?”
He ran.
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