Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 56799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56799 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 284(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Oliver had attempted to murder her and Fallon was too stunned to speak.
“And Clara?” Noah asked.
“Was overwrought and they sedated her to keep her calm.” He went on to ask more questions about Oliver and his relationship with his mother and what Fallon knew about why he needed the money.
“He’s in custody?” Noah asked, obviously wanting confirmation.
“Yes. And with two attempted murder charges, both premediated, I don’t see him making bail. Not that he seems to have the money to pay it even if he did.”
“Good,” she said. “Good.” She rubbed her forearms with her hands, chilled from all the revelations.
The officer informed Fallon he’d call if he had more questions, then left them alone in the room.
She turned to Noah. “That was… a lot.”
“Your instincts about him were spot-on,” he said.
“I didn’t have murder on my bingo card.” She tried to make a joke of things but it fell flat, even to her.
Noah merely pulled her onto his lap and held her tight, neither of them saying another word.
* * *
Fallon couldn’t see Clara until the next day but she was waiting when the hospital opened the doors to visitors. She walked into Clara’s room.
Her friend, boss, and mentor lay in the bed, facing the window overlooking the parking lot.
“Clara?” Fallon said softly.
She turned, sadness etched into the grooves of her face. “Fallon, I’m so glad you’re here.”
“I came yesterday but they’d given you something to help you sleep.”
Clara gestured to the lone chair in the room. “Come sit.”
Fallon pulled the chair closer to the bed and lowered herself into it. “I’ve been so worried about you. I’m so glad to see you awake.”
“I’m fine now… or getting there. I’m still a little weak when I walk and need the cane. But I’m hoping the side effects will minimize over time.”
Fallon nodded. Silence fell and she wasn’t sure what to say or how to broach the subject of Oliver or Clara’s emotional state given what had transpired yesterday.
“Go ahead. Ask me. I see the wheels turning in your brain.”
“I just wanted to say I’m sorry about Oliver. How are you handling things?” She placed a hand over Clara’s. “And is there anything I can do for you?”
Clara treated her to an obviously forced smile. “I thought I knew my son. I understood he was arrogant, pompous, and entitled. In no world did I think he’d try to kill me, his mother, or you.” Turning her hand over, she squeezed Fallon’s.
“You know about the fire then?” Fallon hadn’t been sure how she was going to tell her.
“The police came by to ask me more questions and they told me. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t apologize for something Oliver did. You aren’t responsible.”
Clara sighed. “It’s hard not to feel as though I failed as a parent.”
Although Fallon understood, Clara didn’t need the emotional baggage that kind of guilt would bring. “He’s a grown man who makes his own decisions.”
“And the gallery.” She blinked back tears. “I can’t believe he thought by getting rid of us both he’d have the money he owed some dangerous people.”
“You’ll be okay. I know I’m not your biological daughter but you’ll always have me.”
Clara’s eyes filled with tears and she reached for a tissue on the moveable tray by her bed and dabbed at her eyes. “I’m so grateful for you.”
“Same here,” Fallon whispered, a lump lodged in her throat.
“And don’t worry about me. I didn’t make it to this age without being tough. I’ll survive my son’s betrayal and come out stronger. And we will rebuild the gallery. I promise.”
Fallon managed a bob of her head. She was as overcome as Clara with their conversation. But she promised herself whatever big family events she had, Clara would be a part of them.
Chapter Twenty-One
One week had passed since the fire. Without the gallery to go to, Fallon was at loose ends. She spent her days with Clara, first at the hospital, making sure she was emotionally okay after the trauma with Oliver, and then helping her get home and settled in. The older woman had grown stronger after the toxins had been flushed from her body, and she resisted laying around in bed.
Her son was in jail. Clara, for as much as she loved her child, refused to visit him or support him by paying for an attorney. Fallon couldn’t imagine the pain her friend was feeling but she was there for her, helping her through it.
The twins’ mother had come for a visit and she’d taken over time with the girls. The new nanny even had time off her first week on the job. Charlie had brought the girls to her hotel, giving Fallon and Noah plenty of nighttime togetherness. There were some nights he had dinner with his kids and Charlie but most times, he was with Fallon and she soaked up his singular attention.