Chapter 8: What Vanessa Offered
Her attorney called at eleven-fifteen.
His name was Prescott.
He had a smooth, unhurried voice that suggested he had made calls like this many times before and found them mildly tedious.
"My client is prepared to discuss a resolution," he said.
"She understands the situation has become complicated and she would like to find a path forward that works for everyone."
Marcus had put the call on speaker.
Diane was taking notes.
Graham was leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.
"Define resolution," Marcus said.
"Financial restitution for the property transfer.
A sum reflecting current market value for both parcels, paid within sixty days.
In exchange, all recordings, documents, and copies are surrendered, and Ms.
Claire agrees to a non-disclosure arrangement."
I looked at Marcus.
He looked back at me, waiting.
"No," I said.
A brief pause on the line.
"Perhaps Ms.
Claire would like to consider the figure before—"
"She said no," Marcus said.
"Mr.
Marcus, I'd encourage some reflection here.
My client is prepared to be generous.
The alternative — a protracted civil and potentially criminal process — is costly, time-consuming, and not guaranteed.
My client has resources.
She has counsel.
And she has information of her own that she has not yet introduced into this conversation."
Graham uncrossed his arms.
"What information?" Marcus asked.
"My client would prefer to share that directly, in a private meeting, without the current — audience." A slight pause on the word audience.
"She is specifically requesting a conversation with Ms.
Claire.
Alone."
"That's not happening," Graham said.
"Mr.
Holt, with respect, this doesn't concern—"
"It concerns me," Graham said.
"Whatever she has, she can say it through you, right now, on this call."
A longer pause.
"Very well." Prescott's tone shifted slightly — still smooth, but with something underneath it now.
"My client wishes Ms.
Claire to know that the arrangement involving the properties was not solely my client's initiative.
That there are other parties whose exposure in this matter is significant.
And that if Ms.
Claire pursues this publicly, those parties will have no choice but to protect themselves — which may include introducing information about Ms.
Claire's own conduct during the divorce period that could complicate her position."
The room was quiet.
"What conduct?" I said.
"My client prefers not to be specific at this stage."
"Then we're done," Marcus said.
"Ms.
Claire—"
"We're done," Marcus said again, and ended the call.
He set the phone down and looked at me.
"She has nothing.
That was a pressure tactic.
If she had something real, Prescott would have named it."
"She might be talking about Daniel," I said.
"During the divorce, I — there was a period where I wasn't well.
I missed some hearings.
I was late on some filings.
Daniel used it to argue I was unstable."
"Was there anything actionable?"
"No.
My attorney at the time — the one I eventually got — cleared all of it.
But it's on record."
"It won't matter," Diane said.
"Not against what we have."
My phone buzzed on the table.
Unknown number.
I answered it.
"Claire." A man's voice.
Older.
Careful.
The same voice from the fourth recording.
Graham's father.
"I think we should talk," Robert Holt said.
"Just the two of us.
Before this goes any further."
I looked at Graham.
He had heard it.
His jaw was set.
"I'm listening," I said.
"Not on the phone.
In person." A pause.
"I can be at the Rosewood terrace in an hour.
Come alone.
I'll explain everything, and I think you'll find my explanation changes your perspective considerably."
"Or," I said, "you can speak to my attorney."
"Claire." His voice dropped.
"I know things about your ex-husband that your attorney doesn't know yet.
Things that are worse than what's on that drive.
If you want all of it — if you want the complete picture — you'll come and hear me out first."
The line was silent for a moment.
"One hour," he said.
"The terrace."
He ended the call.
I set the phone down.
Marcus was already shaking his head.
"Don't go."
"He said he has more on Daniel."
"He could be telling the truth.
He could also be trying to get you somewhere private to assess what you know and what you're willing to do with it." Marcus leaned forward.
"Robert Holt is not a man who makes calls like that out of remorse.
He's making a calculation."
"I know," I said.
"But what if there's more?"
Graham pushed off the wall.
"Then I'll go with you."
"He said alone."
"He said alone because he doesn't want a witness." Graham looked at me steadily.
"I'm going.
You can tell him I insisted."
Lily looked up from the couch where she had been quietly drawing on a notepad Diane had given her.
"I want to come too," she said.
"No," I said.
"I found the videos."
"I know.
And you were incredibly brave.
But this one is for the grown-ups."
She considered this with the particular gravity of an eight-year-old being told something she doesn't fully accept.
"Okay," she said finally.
"But tell me everything when you get back."
May you like
"I will," I said.
"I promise."
