Chapter 2 - The Envelope Richard Feared
Lucas stared at Michael as if he had spoken another language.
“That’s insane.”
Richard stepped closer.
“Your father is drunk on resentment, Willow.”
Michael did not even look at him.
“I haven’t had a drink in nineteen years.”
Richard’s mouth tightened.
“Then you’re simply delusional.”
Michael handed the brown envelope to Willow.
Her fingers trembled as she opened it.
Inside was a faded photograph.
Her mother, Catherine Donovan, stood outside a small brick warehouse beside a much younger Richard Sterling.
Between them hung a hand-painted sign.
STERLING-DONOVAN FREIGHT SYSTEMS.
Willow read the words twice.
Her knees nearly gave out.
“I’ve never seen this.”
“I know,” Michael said.
Another paper sat behind the photograph.
It was a copy of an incorporation agreement dated thirty-one years earlier.
Two names appeared beneath the ownership section.
Richard Sterling.
Catherine Walsh.
Forty-nine percent each.
A third investor held the remaining two percent.
Lucas took the document from Willow.
He stared at it.
Then he laughed.
“This proves nothing.”
Michael nodded.
“A photocopy proves very little.”
Richard’s shoulders relaxed slightly.
Then Michael finished.
“That’s why Catherine kept the originals.”
Richard’s expression changed again.
Willow noticed.
So did Lucas.
“Where are they?” Lucas asked.
Michael looked directly at Richard.
“Safe.”
Richard moved closer.
“This is extortion.”
“No.”
Michael’s answer was quiet.
“Extortion would be asking you for money.”
He took Willow’s coat from a nearby chair and placed it around her shoulders.
“I don’t want his money.”
Richard scoffed.
“Everyone wants money.”
Michael looked at him.
“That belief is why you never understood Catherine.”
Willow’s heart pounded.
She remembered her mother only in fragments.
Lavender soap.
A blue scarf.
A woman kneeling beside a six-year-old Willow to tie her shoes.
Catherine had died from an aneurysm when Willow was eight.
At least, that was what Willow had always been told.
Lucas grabbed Willow’s wrist.
“You’re not leaving until we discuss this.”
Michael’s hand closed around Lucas’s wrist.
Not violently.
Firmly.
“Take your hand off my daughter.”
Lucas hesitated.
Then released her.
Helena appeared beside Willow.
“I’ll come with you.”
Michael nodded.
Richard suddenly spoke.
“Willow.”
She turned.
His voice was low now.
Almost pleading.
“Whatever your father tells you tonight, understand that there are things he doesn’t know.”
Michael stopped walking.
Richard’s eyes remained fixed on Willow.
“Your mother made choices too.”
Michael slowly turned around.
“You really want to discuss her choices?”
Richard said nothing.
Michael’s face became cold.
“Then tell Willow why Catherine called me the night before she died.”
Richard’s glass slipped slightly in his hand.
Willow stared at him.
“What did my mother call you about?”
Richard did not answer.
May you like
Michael opened the ballroom door.
“That,” he said, “is the question that destroyed my life.”
