Chapter 10 - PRETEND TO FORGETDaniel Cross suggested a trap.
Everett hated it.
Then agreed.
They would let the family believe the sedatives had begun affecting him.
Not severely.
Subtly.
Everett would misplace a document.
Repeat a question.
Pretend to forget whether he signed something.
Cross wanted to see who moved.
Everett felt disgusted.
“This is my family.”
Cross answered:
“Yes.”
That was precisely why the trap might work.
They told Lorraine the lab results were inconclusive.
Preston was told the bank might accept a revised family-trust guarantee if Everett confirmed it.
Celia received no instructions.
Ruth was told only that Everett was tired.
The performance began at breakfast.
Everett asked Lorraine:
“What day is it?”
She stared.
“Monday.”
Five minutes later he asked again.
Her expression changed.
Not concern.
Attention.
She texted someone under the table.
Cross’s investigator monitoring metadata recorded the message leaving.
Recipient:
Preston.
Later Everett deliberately left a file in the library.
Then asked Celia whether she had seen it.
She found it.
Returned it.
No movement.
At lunch, Everett told Preston:
“I think maybe I did sign something for your real-estate fund.”
Preston froze.
“What?”
“I don’t remember.”
Lorraine looked toward him.
The same quick glance Preston and Celia had exchanged at the party.
But this one carried coordination.
Everett continued.
“If I did, perhaps we should formalize it.”
Preston swallowed.
“You want to?”
“I don’t know.”
Everett rubbed his temple.
“I’m tired.”
Lorraine touched his arm.
Too quickly.
“You should rest.”
Everett almost recoiled.
Instead:
“Maybe.”
Onyx watched from the perch.
Lorraine helped Everett upstairs.
He hated allowing her hand on his back.
At the bedroom door she said:
“I’ll bring your evening pills early.”
There.
Everett looked at her.
“Why?”
“You’ve had a long day.”
“I usually take them at nine.”
“I know.”
“I’ll wait.”
Her smile disappeared slightly.
“Of course.”
Everett lay down but did not sleep.
Cross’s investigator had placed a camera inside the hallway with Everett’s permission.
At 4:18 p.m., Lorraine entered the bedroom.
She went to the bathroom.
Opened the medication cabinet.
Removed the organizer.
She stood there for thirty seconds.
Then left.
Everett waited.
After she went downstairs, Cross entered.
They bagged the pills again.
One new sedative tablet.
Tuesday evening compartment.
Everett sat on the edge of the bed.
He felt something in him break.
“Enough.”
Cross remained quiet.
“My wife.”
“Yes.”
“Thirty-eight years.”
Cross did not tell him what to feel.
Good lawyers rarely did.
They sent the pill for confirmation.
Then Everett made another move.
At dinner he said:
“I think the doctor should come back.”
Lorraine’s eyes flashed.
“Dr. Weller?”
“Yes.”
Preston looked down.
Everett continued.
“If everyone is worried, maybe I should be checked.”
Lorraine tried to appear calm.
“That might be wise.”
Preston said nothing.
Celia stared at Everett.
She seemed to understand something.
Later she cornered him near the study.
“You’re pretending.”
Everett froze.
“What?”
“You asked me the date three times today.”
“Maybe I forgot.”
“No.”
Her voice dropped.
“You’re testing them.”
Everett stared.
“Why do you say them?”
Celia looked toward the staircase.
“Because Preston called someone after lunch.”
“Who?”
“I heard one sentence.”
Everett waited.
“He said, ‘It’s working.’”
The trap had triggered movement.
Cross traced Preston’s call.
Calvin Reese.
The missing man.
Phone active again for ninety-one seconds.
Location ping:
Newark.
Law enforcement now had a lead.
Then Onyx spoke from the living room.
“Tomorrow morning.”
Everett turned.
The bird tilted his head.
“Before he changes his mind.”
Everett’s blood ran cold.
May you like
The plan had accelerated.
Something was supposed to happen tomorrow.
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