Chapter 5: The Voice Behind the Door
Mrs.
Gable reached for the card.
Daniel closed his fist around it.
“Call Peter,” she said.
“He will explain everything.”
“I intend to.”
A woman in a flour-dusted apron appeared at the far end of the hall.
Mrs.
Pike, the house cook, carried a canvas shopping bag against her chest.
“I can save you the call.”
Mrs.
Gable’s voice sharpened.
“Go back to the kitchen.”
“No.”
Nora blinked.
Mrs.
Pike had barely spoken ten friendly words to her in three months.
“What do you know?” Daniel asked.
Mrs.
Pike opened the bag and removed a small voice recorder.
“I know why the kitchen stopped sending Mr.
Mercer’s meals.”
Mrs.
Gable stepped forward.
“That device was used illegally.”
“You haven’t heard what’s on it.”
“I don’t need to.”
Mrs.
Pike pressed the button.
Mrs.
Gable’s recorded voice filled the hall.
“Reduce his meals.
If he asks, tell him the doctor ordered it.
Weak men sign quickly.”
A man answered, “And the maid?”
“Let Nora keep visiting.
If anyone questions the account, we put the card in her room and say Adam taught her everything.”
Nora’s knees buckled.
Mrs.
Pike dropped the bag and caught her arm.
“Sit down, love.”
“No.” Nora pulled free and faced Daniel.
“You signed Adam’s dismissal without speaking to him?”
Daniel did not answer quickly enough.
“You did.”
“The documents carried his access code.”
“He came home afraid, and I told him powerful men would listen if he told the truth.” Nora pressed a hand over her mouth.
“You were the powerful man.”
Daniel’s shoulders dropped.
“He asked for one meeting.
I refused it.”
“Why?”
“Peter said Adam was trying to delay the audit.”
“You let someone destroy my husband’s name because you were too busy to hear him.”
“I did.”
Mrs.
Gable gave a quiet laugh.
“There.
Daniel has admitted responsibility.
Perhaps Nora should direct her anger at him.”
Nora’s eyes filled.
“I spent seven months wondering whether Adam had lied to me.”
Mrs.
Pike gripped her hand.
“He didn’t lie.”
“How can you know?”
“Because he came to my kitchen the night before the collision.
He gave me something to keep safe.”
Mrs.
Gable lunged at the shopping bag.
The deputy stepped between them.
“Stand back.”
“You are taking the word of a cook and a frightened girl over mine?”
“I’m listening to a recording,” the deputy said.
A second knock sounded at the front entrance.
A thin man carrying a leather case walked in without waiting to be invited.
Mrs.
Gable straightened.
“Mr.
Reed.
You arrived just in time.”
Daniel recognized him.
“My father’s former attorney.”
“Current attorney,” Mr.
Reed corrected.
“I represent John Mercer and his appointed guardian.”
“My father has no guardian.”
Mr.
Reed removed a stamped document.
“A temporary order was granted this morning.”
Mrs.
Gable took the paper and held it toward Daniel.
“Your authority over this house and your father’s care has been suspended.”
“On whose evidence?”
“Mine,” she replied.
“I informed the court that you abandoned him for months and returned only when money was mentioned.”
Daniel read the final page.
“This says he is to be transferred tonight.”
“To a secure facility,” Mr.
Reed said.
Old John’s wheelchair appeared at the end of the hall.
He had pushed himself there alone.
“I stay,” he said.
Mrs.
Gable walked toward him.
“You no longer decide that.”
Nora placed herself between them.
“He said he wants to stay.”
Mr.
Reed closed his case.
“If anyone obstructs the transfer, the deputy will be required to intervene.”
Mrs.
Gable leaned toward Nora and lowered her voice.
May you like
“You wanted to save him.
By sunset, you won’t even know where he is.”
