Chapter 8 - VICTORIA’S EXPLANATION
My mother agreed to meet.
She brought lawyers.
Of course.
We sat in Sterling Holdings’ private conference room.
Grace did not attend.
Her choice.
Victoria looked composed again.
“What happened to the money?”
I asked.
“Family Management allocated it under your directive.”
“For services that did not exist.”
“Some vendors overstated.”
“Did Grace ever live on Mercer Street?”
Victoria hesitated.
“No.”
“Then why did I pay twelve-five monthly?”
“The property was held available.”
“For whom?”
“Grace.”
“She was homeless.”
“I did not know that.”
I laughed.
“You communicated with her.”
“Through staff.”
“You told her I died?”
Her face changed.
“No.”
“Sophia says you did.”
“I told Grace there had been an aviation incident.”
“Did you tell her I was dead?”
“No.”
“Did you let her believe it?”
Silence.
There.
“What exactly did you say?”
Victoria looked toward her attorney.
Then:
“I said there had been an accident involving aircraft associated with your European trip and that direct communication would not be possible.”
I stared.
“That is a sentence designed to make someone think I died.”
“She assumed.”
“You let her.”
“She was unstable.”
I stood.
My lawyer touched my arm.
I stayed.
“You told my daughter I was dead?”
“I never spoke to Sophia about your death.”
“Sophia says Grandma told Mom.”
“That is different.”
The distinction disgusted me.
“Why?”
May you like
Victoria’s eyes hardened.
“Because Grace was destroying you.”
