Chapter 7 - RUTH’S WARNING
Ruth Bell lived in a small brick house forty minutes from the hospital. Daniel went there while Naomi stayed with Lily.
Ruth opened the door holding an old photo box. She had silver hair, a steady gaze, and the same habit of getting straight to the point that Daniel remembered from childhood.
“Your father didn’t trust Victor Ames,” she said.
Daniel followed her into the kitchen. “Victor was his friend.”
“They were friends until Victor tried to sell the warehouse behind his back.”
Ruth spread three photographs across the table. In each, Daniel’s father and Ruth stood at a different Mercer House location. She turned over the picture from the first store.
Written in faded ink were a date and four words: KEEP THE SECOND AGREEMENT SAFE.
“What second agreement?” Daniel asked.
“Your father set up the company so it could grow without losing the people who built it. Victor hated the rules. A warehouse sale needed more than a simple board vote. He needed your approval and mine.”
“Yours?”
“Your father gave me a small voting share. I still have it.”
Daniel stared at her. “Why didn’t I know?”
“Because your father thought you knew. Victor made sure the annual reports stopped mentioning it after he died.”
Ruth pulled a thick envelope from the photo box. Inside was an old shareholder agreement with her signature and Daniel’s father’s.
“If Victor sells that warehouse without us,” she said, “the sale can be challenged.”
“Then Caroline and Victor need more than a fake resolution.”
“They need you unable to object.”
Daniel thought of the letter accusing him of being unstable. He thought of Lily asking him whether he was sick.
His phone rang. It was Naomi.
“Come back,” she said. “Now.”
“What happened?”
“Someone contacted the hospital’s social worker. They said Lily is afraid of you.”
Daniel was already on his feet.
At the hospital, a social worker met him outside Lily’s room. Her tone was polite, but she kept the door between them.
“We received a concern about the argument at the party,” she said. “I need to speak with Lily privately.”
“Who called you?”
“I can’t share that yet.”
Daniel looked through the window. Lily sat upright in bed, holding her rabbit with her good arm. Caroline was beside her.
Lily saw him and started to get up.
May you like
Caroline placed a hand on her shoulder.
Daniel stopped walking. He could see his daughter’s face, but he couldn’t hear what Caroline was saying.
