Chapter 3 - THE DAUGHTER WHO LOOKED AWAY
Clark did not drive to the house.
He contacted Tiffany through a domestic-violence advocate from Abbie Shelter, who arranged a meeting in a private room at the Flathead County library. Clark brought his attorney. Tiffany arrived with her wrist in a blue brace and a bruise darkening beneath her jaw.
She stopped when she saw him.
“I’m sorry,” she said.
Clark pulled out a chair. “Start with the money.”
Tiffany sat across from him but kept watching the door.
“Harry’s business owes almost ninety thousand dollars. Payroll taxes, supplier invoices, credit cards.”
“Why was my retirement account paying it?”
“He said they were loans.”
“Did I agree?”
“No.”
“Then don’t call them loans.”
Tiffany pressed her good hand against her mouth.
She explained that Harry had discovered the home-equity available in Clark’s house after moving in. He planned to borrow enough to clear the business debt, then use the remaining cash to relocate to Idaho and restart under a new company name.
Clark’s signature was the only obstacle.
“When did you decide to warn me?”
“Last week. I heard him talking to a notary. He said if you wouldn’t sign willingly, we’d document that you were confused and petition for control of your finances.”
“So you told me to serve him or leave.”
“I knew you’d forgive me if I asked nicely. You always do.”
Clark felt the accuracy of it more sharply than the insult.
“I needed you angry enough to go,” Tiffany continued. “Harry watches my calls. He checks my messages. I couldn’t tell you while you were in the house.”
“What happened after I left?”
“The bank froze the accounts. He knew you’d found out. He thought I’d warned you.”
“Had you?”
“Not yet.”
Tiffany looked down at the brace.
Clark wanted to place his hand over hers. Instead, he kept both hands around his coffee cup.
“Why didn’t you leave with me?”
“Because I was scared.”
“Of him?”
“Of what happens when you learn all of it.”
The answer disturbed Clark more than the bruise.
Tiffany opened her purse and removed a folded sheet of paper. It listed account transfers, dates and amounts. Some matched the bank records.
Others went back almost two years.
The first withdrawal had occurred before Harry’s business began failing.
Before they moved into Clark’s house.
Before Harry had ever been given access to Clark’s accounts.
Clark studied the date.
“What did he need the first twelve thousand dollars for?”
May you like
Tiffany stared at the table.
“He didn’t know about that one.”
