Chapter 13 - The Room With No Chandeliers
Richard asked for a meeting.
Nora agreed to a formal settlement conference in her office, with lawyers present.
Abigail nearly refused.
Then she thought of the ballroom.
Of Richard looking past her toward the people he considered important.
“I want him to look at me.”
He arrived carrying no papers.
His lawyer carried enough for both of them.
There were no chandeliers in Nora’s conference room.
No donor plaques.
No staff waiting to laugh at the right moment.
Richard took his seat.
“Miss Foster.”
“Mrs. Foster.”
His eyes flicked toward the ring at her throat.
“Mrs. Foster.”
His attorney outlined an offer.
Money for Daniel’s death.
Money for the assault.
Money for confidentiality.
Abigail listened without interrupting.
It was more than she had imagined seeing in her lifetime.
She could buy a house.
Pay for college.
Never work another banquet with swollen feet.
Nora asked precise questions.
Richard grew impatient.
“This is a generous offer.”
Abigail looked at him.
“Generous is giving somebody something you don’t owe them.”
His lawyer shifted.
Richard leaned forward.
“Your husband’s death was a tragedy.”
“Then why did you blame him before the investigation was finished?”
“My company relied on the information available.”
“You mean the information your company wrote.”
“We employed hundreds of drivers. I cannot personally inspect every truck.”
“No. But somebody told you there was a problem.”
His silence lasted half a second too long.
Abigail continued.
“Somebody told you Daniel wouldn’t keep quiet. And when he died, you saw a cheaper way out.”
Richard looked toward Nora.
“Are we negotiating or performing?”
Nora closed her pen.
“We’re determining whether your proposal addresses our client’s interests.”
Abigail pushed the agreement back.
“I won’t sign a lie about my husband.”
Richard stood.
“You have a child to think about.”
She stood more slowly.
“Yes. I do.”
Before he could answer, his attorney’s phone vibrated.
Then Richard’s.
The lawyer read his screen and went still.
“What?” Richard demanded.
He lowered his voice.
“We need to leave.”
Outside the conference room, Owen stood beside two investigators.
They had not come because of the failed negotiation.
They had been following records, interviews, and the people paid to frighten Abigail.
One investigator asked Richard to confirm his name.
Richard looked at Abigail.
May you like
For the first time, there was no warning in his eyes.
Only the shock of discovering that she could watch him leave—and refuse to help.
