CHAPTER 11: CLAIRE’S OFFER
Claire requested a private meeting with Amelia.
Amelia refused.
Claire responded by sending an attorney.
The man entered Amelia’s room carrying a leather briefcase.
“My client would like to resolve this situation quietly.”
Mara stood beside the window.
“Your client is a suspect in attempted murder.”
“No charges have been filed.”
“Not yet.”
The attorney opened the briefcase.
Inside was a settlement agreement.
Claire offered Amelia five hundred thousand dollars.
In exchange, Amelia would agree not to discuss Ethan, the elevator, the hotel room, or the recordings publicly.
Amelia read the first page.
“She wants me to say the elevator stopped because of an accident.”
“My client believes public speculation could damage everyone.”
“My son almost died.”
“The agreement also covers his medical expenses.”
Amelia closed the folder.
“Claire believes she can purchase my silence?”
“This is an opportunity to protect your child.”
Mara stepped forward.
“Is that a threat?”
“No.”
Amelia picked up the agreement.
For a moment, the attorney believed she might sign it.
Instead, she tore it in half.
Then she tore it again.
“Tell Claire I already gave away the only thing she wanted.”
The attorney frowned.
“What was that?”
“My husband.”
The man gathered the torn pages.
Before leaving, he placed a business card on the table.
On the back, someone had written a message.
The attorney seemed unaware of it.
Mara waited until he left.
Then she turned the card over.
THE BABY WAS NEVER SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE ELEVATOR.
Amelia stared at the words.
The charity gala schedule had changed that afternoon.
Amelia had originally planned to stay home.
Ethan had insisted she attend.
He said the fire department wanted family photographs.
But there had been no official family photographs.
Mara looked toward her sister.
“Who asked Ethan to bring you?”
May you like
Amelia already knew the answer.
Claire had organized the gala.
