Chapter 7 - Fifty Thousand Dollars
Clara held the check between two fingers.
It could save Tyler.
That fact made everything harder.
Her mother had cried in the hospital cafeteria three days earlier because she could no longer borrow money.
Tyler's cardiologist had warned them not to delay indefinitely.
Fifty thousand dollars could erase weeks of panic.
Mrs. Hargrove knew exactly what she was offering.
"What happens to Noah if I leave?"
"Another professional will be hired."
"You mean another person who won't know what he's afraid of."
Mrs. Hargrove's eyes hardened.
"You are twenty-two years old."
"Yes."
"You clean offices."
"Yes."
"You served pancakes before sunrise."
"Still do when I need the money."
"You have no education in trauma."
Clara folded the check.
Mrs. Hargrove smiled.
Then Clara tore it in half.
The smile vanished.
"I'm poor," Clara said.
"I'm not for sale."
She dropped the pieces onto the table.
Mrs. Hargrove stepped close enough for Clara to smell her perfume.
Lilac.
At that exact moment, Noah appeared in the hallway.
He froze.
His face changed.
Lilac.
Clara understood.
It was not only the pearl.
The perfume was another trigger.
Noah began backing away.
Mrs. Hargrove turned.
"Go to your room."
Noah's breathing quickened.
Clara moved between them.
"Don't."
Mrs. Hargrove reached for the boy.
Noah screamed.
Dominic came running from the study.
"What happened?"
Mrs. Hargrove pointed at Clara.
"She has been agitating him all day."
"No."
The voice was small.
Everyone stopped.
Noah was staring at Dominic.
"No."
Dominic slowly crouched.
"No what, son?"
Noah's eyes filled with tears.
His finger rose.
He pointed directly at Mrs. Hargrove.
"No Pearl."
Mrs. Hargrove's face went blank.
Dominic looked at her.
Then Noah said two more words.
"Mommy car."
Dominic stopped breathing.
Clara knelt.
"Did you see Mrs. Hargrove in Mommy's car?"
Noah began to shake.
Mrs. Hargrove snapped, "Enough."
Dominic turned on her.
"Do not speak."
For once, she obeyed.
Noah covered his face.
"Red door."
Dominic looked toward the north wing.
Then back at his son.
"Was Mommy at the red door?"
Noah shook his head violently.
He pointed outside.
"Car."
His little mouth trembled.
"Pearl lady."
Dominic stood.
Whatever grief had lived in his face disappeared beneath something colder.
"Mateo."
The security chief stepped forward.
"Lock the estate."
Mrs. Hargrove stared at him.
"Dominic, don't be absurd."
Dominic's voice became quiet.
That was when everyone in Chicago knew he was most dangerous.
May you like
"No one leaves."
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