Chapter 10: What Was Found in the Letters
Three weeks later, Vera called.
Adrian was in his office on the forty-second floor, looking at a contract he hadn't been able to read for the past hour.
He picked up on the first ring.
"The DA filed formal charges this morning," Vera said.
"Madison Cole — vehicular h*micide, first degree.
Conspiracy.
Financial fraud.
Witness tampering.
Obstruction of justice."
"And Caleb?"
"Financial fraud.
Conspiracy to obstruct.
He's cooperating fully.
His attorney is negotiating a reduced sentence." A pause.
"He'll still serve time."
"I know."
"Gerald Fitch has been disbarred pending the outcome of the trial.
He surrendered his passport yesterday." Another pause.
"Your mother has retained separate counsel."
"I know that too."
Vera was quiet for a moment.
"How are you doing?"
"I'm reading a contract I can't concentrate on," Adrian said.
"So about the same as yesterday."
"That's honest."
"Did you find anything else in the cedar compartment?
You said your team was going through the letters."
"That's actually why I called." Vera's voice shifted slightly.
"There were fourteen letters in the compartment.
Twelve were personal — between Claire and her mother, mostly.
One was from her attorney, outlining the steps she was planning to take regarding the financial transfers."
"And the fourteenth?"
"It was addressed to you," Vera said.
"She wrote it the day before she d\*ed.
We had to hold it as evidence, but the DA has cleared it for release.
I can bring it to you this afternoon, or I can have it couriered."
Adrian set down the contract.
"Bring it yourself," he said.
"Please."
Vera arrived at four o'clock.
She handed him a sealed evidence envelope with a smaller envelope inside.
His name was written on the front in Claire's handwriting — the looping, slightly leftward slant he would have recognized anywhere.
He waited until Vera had gone before he opened it.
The letter was two pages, written on the cream stationery Claire kept in her desk.
The date at the top was the day before she d\*ed.
*Adrian,*
*If you're reading this, then something went wrong and I didn't get to tell you myself.
I'm sorry for that.
I wanted to tell you in person.
I wanted to see your face.*
*I found the transfers six weeks ago.
I found the messages between Caleb and Madison two weeks after that.
I know this will hurt you in ways I can't predict, and I'm sorry.
None of it is your fault.
None of it was ever your fault.*
*I want you to know that I'm not afraid.
I know that might be hard to believe given what I'm about to do, but it's true.
I've thought about it carefully.
I've talked to an attorney.
I have everything documented.
I am going to fix this.*
*There is a red box in the cedar compartment.
You know the one.
Inside the box, under the ring, there is a folded document — a copy of the transfer records and the holding company registration.
Keep it safe.*
*I love you.
I have loved you since the night we met at that terrible fundraiser where you spilled wine on my dress and apologized for eleven minutes straight.
I have loved you every day since.
Whatever happens, I need you to know that.*
*Don't grieve too long.
That's not a request.
That's an instruction.*
*— Claire*
Adrian sat at his desk for a long time.
Outside, the city moved at its usual pace, indifferent and continuous.
He folded the letter carefully along its original creases.
He put it back in the envelope.
He put the envelope in the inside pocket of his jacket, close to his chest.
May you like
Then he picked up the contract he hadn't been able to read and read it.
He got through all twelve pages.
