Silence.
Then, “What?”
“Wrong answer.”
“Claire, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“A divorce petition was prepared in my name on January twenty-fourth. It accused you of hiding almost five million dollars.”
His breathing stopped.
That was all I needed.
“You did know.”
“No.”
“But you recognized the amount.”
“Claire—”
“Daniel.”
He exhaled.
“I knew Dad moved money.”
My chest went cold.
“What money?”
“I thought it belonged to the company.”
“How much?”
“I never saw the exact number.”
“Did you hide money from me?”
“No.”
I believed the fear in his voice.
But I no longer confused fear with innocence.
“Then explain.”
Daniel was quiet for a long moment.
“My grandfather created several holding companies years ago. Property, investments, land options. Dad controlled most of them after Grandpa retired.”
“And?”
“After Grandpa passed away, there was supposed to be a distribution.”
“To whom?”
“Dad. Patricia. Me.”
