Chapter 7 - The House Changes LocksThe locks changed that afternoon.
Because the mansion was Marlowe’s separate property, Evelyn advised her she could revoke Daphne’s access immediately.
Gavin was more complicated.
He still lived there as Marlowe’s spouse.
So Marlowe did not throw his belongings onto the driveway.
She did something more effective.
She had lawyers file for divorce.
Then she requested temporary exclusive use of the residence based on the escalating financial dispute and marital breakdown.
Gavin received the papers at 4:12 p.m.
He called at 4:14.
“You filed?”
“Yes.”
“You didn’t even give us a chance to talk.”
“We talked.”
“Twenty minutes in a hotel?”
“We were married for two years. You had plenty of time.”
“What am I supposed to do?”
Marlowe stared at the mansion from inside Evelyn’s car.
“That question is no longer mine.”
The bank also froze the pending loan application.
Hale Development’s board counsel suspended all proxy changes involving Marlowe’s shares until the dispute was reviewed.
For the first time, Gavin and Daphne’s plan had lost momentum.
That made them dangerous.
The next morning Daphne appeared at the gate.
Marlowe watched through the security monitor.
Copper stood beside her.
“Don’t bark,” Marlowe whispered.
Copper wagged his tail.
Daphne pressed the intercom.
“Marlowe.”
No answer.
“I know you’re inside.”
Marlowe finally pushed the button.
“What?”
“I need clothes.”
“Yours aren’t here.”
“Some are.”
Of course they were.
Daphne had spent enough time in the house to leave things behind.
Marlowe’s stomach turned.
“I’ll have them delivered.”
“Marlowe, please let me see you.”
“No.”
“I’m your mother.”
“That didn’t stop you.”
Daphne closed her eyes.
The camera showed every line of exhaustion on her face.
“Gavin is trying to destroy me.”
Marlowe almost laughed.
“Interesting. He says the same about you.”
“He’s lying.”
“So are you.”
“I can prove he planned the forged loan.”
“Then give me proof.”
Silence.
Marlowe leaned toward the intercom.
“That’s what I thought.”
Daphne looked directly at the camera.
“The key.”
Marlowe’s fingers tightened.
“What about it?”
“Box 317 contains documents Gavin doesn’t know I kept.”
“Then why were you terrified when I found it?”
“Because they implicate me too.”
At least that was honest.
Marlowe said nothing.
Daphne continued.
“I kept insurance.”
“Against your daughter?”
“Against Gavin.”
Marlowe stared at the screen.
“Why would you need insurance against someone you trusted enough to put in my life?”
Daphne’s face twisted.
“Because eventually I realized he wanted more than we agreed.”
“What did you agree?”
Daphne shook her head.
“Not over an intercom.”
Marlowe nearly disconnected.
Then Daphne said, “He wanted the company.”
Marlowe stopped.
“Explain.”
“The coastal sale was supposed to be the end. He’d get paid. My debts would be cleared.”
“But?”
“He started studying the voting structure. Your father’s old acquisition documents. Board succession.”
Marlowe remembered Gavin’s questions during dinners.
Who owns the hotel in Boston?
How many directors can be replaced in one vote?
Could Marlowe nominate a new CFO?
She had thought he was interested in her work.
“Why?”
Daphne lowered her voice.
“Because he stopped planning to leave after the sale.”
A chill moved through Marlowe.
“Leave what?”
“You.”
Marlowe’s heart thudded.
Daphne continued.
“He told me once the coastal deal closed, you’d be too dependent on him to understand what happened.”
Marlowe felt sick.
“And you stayed with him?”
“I thought I could control him.”
The confession contained Daphne’s entire flaw.
She had believed everyone else was a piece on her board.
Arthur.
Gavin.
Marlowe.
Even love.
“I want the box opened,” Marlowe said.
Daphne looked up.
“I’ll do it.”
“Tomorrow.”
“Marlowe—”
“Tomorrow. Evelyn comes with us.”
Daphne hesitated.
Then nodded.
After the intercom went dark, Copper leaned against Marlowe’s leg.
She rubbed his head.
“Good boy.”
May you like
Tomorrow, the wardrobe would no longer be the worst door Daphne had opened.
Box 317 might be.
Related Stories
