Margaret’s voice filled the space between us.
“Do not go home, Arthur.”
My skin went cold.
Arthur answered.
“Claire says ICU.”
Margaret:
“Doctors handle sick children every day.
If you leave now, Blackmere walks.”
Arthur:
“She called eighty times.”
Margaret gave a disgusted laugh.
“Then turn the phone off.”
I covered my mouth.
The recording continued.
Arthur said,
“If something happens…”
Margaret replied:
“If something happens, Claire will collapse.
And if Claire collapses, you finally have the evidence the trust lawyers said you needed.”
I stopped breathing.
Beatrice paused the recording.
“I’m sorry.”
I could not speak.
She looked down.
“There’s another one.”
“No.”
“You need to hear it.”
She pressed play.
The recording was dated after Chloe died.
Arthur’s voice sounded broken.
“She’s gone.”
Margaret:
“Who?”
A pause.
“Chloe.”
Another pause.
Then Margaret sighed.
Not cried.
Sighed.
“I’m sorry.”
Arthur said nothing.
Then Margaret continued.
