Chapter 7

By nightfall, the driveway was empty.

The workers had left. Emily had driven away with Richard without looking back.

I remained at Lake Haven.

The house was cold. I found an old sweater upstairs and ate crackers over the kitchen sink because there was nothing else.

At nine thirty, headlights swept across the windows.

Richard knocked once, then tried his key.

I had turned the dead bolt.

"Open the door, Claire."

"Tell me why you need the money."

Through the glass, I saw him lift a folder.

"My business needs time. Your signature gives us that."

Us.

He had given…