Chapter 3 - WHAT WILLIAM HEARD
Grant opened the door three inches.
William pushed it wider.
He wasn’t alone.
A woman stood beside him wearing a dark coat and holding a leather folder.
Grant blocked the entrance.
“This really isn’t a good time.”
William glanced past him.
His eyes went straight to my mother.
She was still against the wall.
One hand held her shoulder.
“What happened?”
“She tripped,” Grant said.
I almost laughed again.
Apparently our entire family suffered from sudden balance problems.
The woman beside William stepped forward.
“Mr. Mercer, I’m Caroline Reed.”
Grant looked at her.
“I know who you are.”
I didn’t.
William explained.
“Caroline is Hawthorne’s head of compliance.”
Grant’s face tightened.
“You brought compliance to my house?”
“I called her from the car.”
“Why?”
Caroline looked directly at him.
“Because Mr. Hawthorne informed me that a minor child may have been placed in medical danger by a senior employee during a company-related event.”
Grant scoffed.
“This wasn’t a company event.”
“The promotion dinner was scheduled through corporate,” Caroline said.
“You invited senior leadership.”
“The company paid for the catering.”
Grant went silent.
Caroline continued.
“That makes certain conduct relevant to us.”
Grant stared at William.
“You’re doing this to me over a bottle?”
Sophie hid behind me.
William saw her.
“No.”
He stepped closer.
“I’m doing this because when I asked a frightened child if you’d done it before, she looked at her mother for permission to tell the truth.”
My mother began crying.
Grant turned on her.
“Stop.”
William’s gaze sharpened.
Grant caught himself.
He softened his voice.
“Diane. Honey. Come on.”
Mom wiped her face.
“I’m fine.”
I hated those words.
She had said them after broken dishes.
After bruises.
After Grant punched a hole through our bedroom door because I locked it.
Fine.
Always fine.
Caroline opened her folder.
“Emma, may I ask you something?”
Grant immediately said, “She’s a minor.”
“So she can’t speak?”
“I’m her legal guardian.”
“No, you’re not.”
Everyone looked at Mom.
Her head snapped up.
Caroline’s expression changed.
“I’m sorry?”
Grant laughed nervously.
“She means biologically.”
I stared at Mom.
“What does she mean?”
Mom looked terrified.
“Emma…”
Grant stepped between us.
“This has gone far enough.”
He reached for Caroline’s folder.
William caught his wrist.
“Don’t.”
Grant pulled back.
“Get out of my house.”
Caroline nodded.
“All right.”
She turned toward the door.
Grant exhaled.
Then she stopped.
“But before we go, there’s one thing you should know.”
Grant’s face hardened.
“What?”
“When Mr. Hawthorne returned to retrieve his phone, he heard shouting through the door.”
Grant’s eyes flicked toward William.
William pulled his phone from his pocket.
“I didn’t forget it.”
My stomach dropped.
William continued.
“I came back because something about this situation didn’t feel right.”
Grant stared at him.
“And I recorded what I heard.”
Mom gasped.
May you like
Grant’s expression became almost unrecognizable.
Then, from outside, blue lights flashed against the windows.
