Chapter 8: The Thing Nathan Did Next
They arrested Nathan at eleven-forty that night.
I know because Detective Marsh came to find me personally.
She didn't have to do that.
She did it anyway.
"He's been charged with attempted murd3r," she said.
"And with administering a p0isonous substance with intent.
The DA will likely add charges related to the forged loan documents once the financial investigation completes." She paused.
"Emily has given a full statement.
She's been charged with failure to report and child endangerment.
Her attorney is already negotiating."
"The children," I said.
"If Emily is charged —"
"They'll need a guardian.
Temporarily, at minimum." She looked at me steadily.
"You'd be the natural choice, if you're willing."
I looked through the window at Sophie and Ben, both asleep now, side by side, Sophie's hand resting near Ben's arm.
"Yes," I said.
"I'm willing."
Detective Marsh nodded.
She started to turn away, then stopped.
"Mrs.
Ellis.
Before we took him out, he asked to speak to you."
My stomach tightened.
"Did he."
"You don't have to.
I want to be clear about that."
I thought about Robert's letter.
*I believe he may try to do worse.
I hope I'm wrong.*
Robert had known.
He had known for years and had carried it alone and had tried to build enough protection around me to survive it.
"I'll speak to him," I said.
"With you present."
They brought Nathan to a small room near the nurses' station.
He was handcuffed.
He looked smaller than he had that morning.
People do, sometimes, when the thing they've been holding up finally falls.
He looked at me across the table.
"I want you to know," he said, "that I didn't want it to go this far."
"But you wanted it to go somewhere."
He said nothing.
"You forged your father's signature," I said.
"You borrowed money against our home.
When Robert found out, he paid your debt and kept your secret and protected you for years.
And when he was gone, you decided the simplest solution was to get rid of me."
"The practice is failing," Nathan said.
His voice was flat.
"I owe more than you know.
The house — Dad's estate — it was the only way out."
"There were other ways."
"Not fast enough."
I looked at him for a long moment.
The boy who cried when people left the room.
The man who had watched his children be carried into an emergency room and felt, for one unguarded second, relief.
"I'm going to take care of Sophie and Ben," I said.
"Whatever happens with Emily, whatever happens with you — they will be safe and they will be loved.
I want you to know that."
Something shifted in his face.
Not gratitude.
Not quite.
But something.
"I know you will," he said quietly.
"You always did."
Detective Marsh put her hand on his shoulder.
He stood.
He walked to the door.
At the threshold he stopped.
"Mom."
"Nathan."
He didn't say anything else.
He walked out.
The door closed.
I sat in that room for a few minutes alone.
The fluorescent light hummed above me.
May you like
Someone laughed distantly down the corridor — a nurse, probably, the ordinary sound of a night shift continuing.
Then I got up and went back to my grandchildren.
