Evelyn spoke at last. “You told me Adrian would take them from me.”
Victoria went quiet.
The room seemed to contract around us.
“Did you?” I asked.
“I said the family would pursue its interests.”
“That is not an answer.”
“I didn’t know what you would do,” Victoria said. “I knew what the attorneys would advise. I knew the family would argue that children connected to you should not be raised outside our protection. I thought if Evelyn stayed away, everyone would be safer.”
Everyone.
The word carried its own indictment.
“Where is the file?” I asked.
“In my office.”
“Read the attorney’s letter to me.”
“I can send you a photograph.”
“No. Read it.”
There was a pause, followed by the faint rustle of paper.
“Dear Mr. Moretti,” she began. “I am writing on behalf of Evelyn Carter regarding the birth of her children and your potential parental rights. Ms. Carter does not wish to initiate legal proceedings at this time. However, she has requested confirmation that any future communication from her will be delivered directly to you and not to members of your family or business.”
