Chapter 5 - THE BUYER
The buyer’s name was Henry Cole.
Seventy-one.
Retired technology executive.
Widower.
He had wanted Redwood Crest since the first time he attended a charity dinner there two years earlier.
I met him Friday morning at Natalie’s office.
He stood when I entered.
“Ms. Bennett.”
“Mr. Cole.”
He glanced toward the carrier beside me.
“And this must be Maya.”
I smiled.
“Yes.”
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
He didn’t ask about Garret.
That told me Natalie had briefed him.
We sat.
The closing attorney began reviewing documents.
I signed.
And signed.
And signed again.
Each signature removed another thread connecting me to the house.
I expected regret.
It never came.
Then the attorney slid the final deed toward me.
“This transfers title upon recording and confirmation of funds.”
I stared at the signature line.
My phone buzzed.
Garret.
A photograph.
He stood on a yacht beside his mother.
Wish you were here.
I looked at Maya.
Then at the deed.
I signed.
At 11:42 a.m., the wire arrived.
At 12:07 p.m., the deed was submitted for recording.
At 12:31 p.m., Redwood Crest no longer belonged to me.
Henry extended his hand.
“Thank you.”
I shook it.
“Take care of her.”
“The house?”
“Yes.”
He smiled.
“I intend to.”
Then he surprised me.
“I understand your husband has belongings there.”
“He does.”
“I’ll give him thirty days to arrange removal.”
“That’s generous.”
“I’ve been divorced twice.”
His smile widened.
“I’ve learned generosity is cheapest when lawyers document it.”
Natalie laughed.
I almost did too.
Then Henry became serious.
“There’s one other thing.”
“What?”
“My security company will change every access code at four this afternoon.”
I looked at him.
“All of them?”
“Every one.”
For some reason, that was the moment it became real.
Garret had changed one code to keep me out.
Now a man he had never met was about to change every code to keep him out.
“Do it.”
At 4:03 p.m., I received a notification.
My administrator access to Redwood Crest had ended.
I deleted the home security app.
Then I deleted Garret’s Miami photograph.
Paige picked me up afterward.
“Well?”
“It’s sold.”
She stared at me.
“Actually sold?”
“Actually sold.”
“How do you feel?”
I thought about it.
“Lighter.”
She hugged me.
Carefully.
Maya slept between us.
Then Paige pulled back.
“When are you telling him?”
“I’m not.”
Her eyebrows rose.
“He’s going to come home and find out?”
“Yes.”
“That is…”
She searched for the right word.
“Legal?”
I smiled.
“Exactly.”
But Garret didn’t wait until Tuesday.
At 8:17 that evening, my phone exploded with messages.
AUDREY.
CALL ME.
NOW.
WHAT DID YOU DO?
Then the phone rang.
I answered.
May you like
Garret didn’t say hello.
“YOU SOLD MY HOUSE?”
