Chapter 11 · A Mother's Calculated Ruin

Chapter 11

Five minutes later, the curtains were pulled shut.Ten minutes after that, my phone buzzed with a message from Maria: [Elsa just called Lucy. The call lasted eight minutes.]Another message came in right after: [As soon as Lucy hung up with Elsa, she called Jacob. That call lasted twelve minutes.]I put my phone away and started the car.I hooked her.On the way back to Serenford, I called Lynn one last time."Are all the documents ready?" I asked."Ms. Tate, everything's set. The divorce papers, the child abuse case, and the claim for the assets he moved during the marriage; all three are ready to go whenever you say," Lynn replied."Good. File them the day after tomorrow," I said.As soon as I hung up, my phone rang again.It was Jacob.I picked up."Rebecca, you were out all day. Where'd you go?" Jacob asked.He tried to sound casual, but there was something in his voice I'd never heard before.He was nervous."I went to the hotel to check on the setup, and picked up some things for the party. What's up?" I kept my tone breezy."Nothing," he said after a pause. "Mom wants to go over the plans for Xavier's birthday party with you tonight.""Alright, I'll talk to her when I get back," I said.I hung up and watched Harborvale shrink in my rearview mirror.Elsa called Lucy. Lucy called Jacob. Jacob called me.The whole chain was set in motion.They must be freaking out.The wife everyone thought knew nothing suddenly showed up right in front of Elsa, inviting her to Xavier's birthday party.They had no clue how much I knew, what I was holding, or what I was planning.That uncertainty would make them slip up.When people panic, they always make the dumbest choices.By the time I got home, it was already eight at night.Sure enough, Lucy was waiting for me in the living room.But tonight, she looked different. She wasn't in her usual spot, sitting with her cane and acting all high and mighty. Instead, she was standing in the foyer, like she'd been waiting for a long time."Rebecca, come in and have a seat," she said.Her voice was softer than usual, with a hint of something I'd never heard from her before.She was actually trying to win me over.I kicked off my shoes and settled onto the couch.Lucy sat down across from me, wringing her hands nervously."Is everything ready for the party the day after tomorrow?" she asked."Everything's sorted. No need to worry," I replied."I looked over the guest list. You've really covered all the bases. But there's one thing I'd like to discuss," she said, pausing. "I want to order a bigger cake for Xavier, something with ten layers. I'll cover the cost.""Alright," I replied."And as for the party program, I really think we should keep it simple. Just let the kids have some cake and blow out the candles; no need for any big screen videos or anything like that," Lucy said.I looked up at her.She avoided my eyes, focusing instead on the fruit platter sitting on the coffee table."Lucy, the big screen's all set up. Jacob wanted it especially. He said he wants to show a video of Xavier growing up these past years, so his buddies can see how much the kid's changed," I said.Lucy's fingers tightened a bit."Okay, that works. Can you show me the video first?" she asked."There's really no time. The big day is the day after tomorrow, and the video's still being edited. Lucy, just trust me and let me handle it," I replied.Lucy glanced up at me.Her eyes held something deeper, something heavier than just suspicion.It was like someone who'd been guarding a secret for years, and suddenly realized someone was standing right outside the door where it was hidden."Alright. Get some rest," Lucy said.Lucy got up, took her cane from beside the sofa, and made her way upstairs.She paused on the third step."Rebecca, at the party the day after tomorrow, there won't be anyone else besides the guests on the list, right?" she asked.I sat on the sofa, my tone as calm as if we were just chatting about the weather."I don't think so. There are already over two hundred people on the list. It'll be lively enough," I replied.Lucy didn't say anything else. She just leaned on her cane and made her way upstairs.I sat in the living room, listening to her footsteps disappear upstairs. Once she was gone, I grabbed my phone.I texted Maria: [Be there the day after tomorrow. Third row, aisle seat. Don't let Jacob see you.]Maria replied: [Got it. I brought what you wanted.]I deleted the messages, turned off the lights, and headed upstairs.As I passed Xavier's room, I noticed a faint light coming from under the door.

Chapter 11