Chapter 5: The Conversation in the East Room
Julian walked to the east sitting room alone.
He told Richard to wait in the dining room.
He told the officer stationed outside the east room door to step back ten feet.
He wanted no witnesses for this conversation.
Not yet.
He opened the door.
Eleanor was seated in the high-backed chair near the window, her legs crossed, her hands folded in her lap.
She had composed herself completely.
The woman who had screamed in the entrance hall was gone.
This version of Eleanor was still, watchful, and faintly amused.
"You took your time," she said.
Julian closed the door behind him.
He did not sit.
"Your brother notarized the property amendment."
A small pause.
"Daniel is a licensed notary.
There's nothing unusual about that."
"He notarized my signature on a document I never signed."
"You signed a great many documents three months ago, Julian.
It's possible you've forgotten."
"I haven't forgotten."
Eleanor tilted her head slightly.
"You've been speaking to Richard.
Richard is thorough but slow.
By the time he files anything, the county record will have been standing for two months.
Judges are reluctant to unwind established filings."
"Then you've already spoken to a lawyer."
"I've been prepared for some time." She said it without apology.
Without heat.
As if she were discussing a household schedule.
Julian looked at her for a long moment.
"How long?"
"Does it matter?"
"It matters to me."
Eleanor looked toward the window.
The grounds were dark and quiet.
"Your father's estate was always going to be contested.
You were named executor, but the original trust had ambiguities.
I saw them.
Your own lawyers missed them, or chose not to mention them." She turned back to him.
"I simply made use of what was already there."
"You forged my father's signature."
"I preserved a document that reflects what should have happened."
"He never met you."
"No.
But he would have approved of me.
I have managed this household for three years with more competence than anyone before me." Her voice was still calm.
"Leo has never appreciated that.
He has resented me from the first day.
He has worked to turn you against me since the beginning."
"Leo is seventeen years old."
"Leo is not a child.
He is a very clever young man who understood exactly what my presence meant for his inheritance.
Everything he told you tonight was designed to remove me before I could protect my own position."
Julian was quiet for a moment.
"He has a bruise on his arm."
"He fell."
"You pushed him."
"He was blocking the door to his room.
I moved past him.
If he lost his balance, that is not—"
"Eleanor." Julian's voice cut through cleanly.
"Stop."
She stopped.
"I have known you for four years.
I have been married to you for three.
And I am standing here realizing that I do not know a single true thing about you." He moved to the door.
"My lawyers will be in contact with yours.
You will not leave this property tonight.
Tomorrow morning, you will be escorted out with whatever personal belongings you arrived with four years ago.
Nothing that was in this house before you came."
Eleanor stood.
The composure held, but something underneath it shifted.
"Julian.
If you do this — if you push this into a legal fight — things will come out that you will not want made public.
About the estate.
About your father's finances.
About decisions you made in the first year after his d*ath that your board of directors does not know about."
Julian's hand was on the door handle.
He turned back once.
"Then they'll come out," he said.
"I have nothing to hide."
For the first time, Eleanor's expression changed.
Not much.
A small tightening around the eyes.
Julian opened the door and walked out.
He was halfway down the corridor when his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He answered it.
A man's voice.
Low and careful.
"Mr.
Ashworth.
You don't know me.
But I know what Eleanor has been doing.
May you like
And I have proof you don't have yet." A pause.
"She's done this before."
