Chapter 5 - The Ultimatum
Richard’s face flushed a mottled, furious purple. He pointed a trembling finger at my face. “You ungrateful, selfish little wretch! We gave you life! We put a roof over your head! And now that you strike it rich off the graves of your own family, you treat us like strangers? You’ll regret this, Hannah! You’ll be begging for our forgiveness before the month is out!”
“Try me,” I replied, reaching into my pocket and pulling out my phone, tapping the screen once to open the keypad. “One, two, three...”
“Fine! We’re leaving!” Clara shrieked, grabbing Richard’s arm and dragging him backward toward the door while Sabrina glared at me with pure, unadulterated venom. “You’re dead to us, Hannah! Don't ever call us again!”
They scrambled down the walkway, piling back into the luxury sedan with tires screeching against the asphalt as they tore away from the curb.
I watched the red taillights fade into the winter morning fog until the street was entirely silent once more.
I closed the front door, locked the deadbolt with a firm, satisfying click, and walked back to the kitchen. Jonathan’s coffee mug still sat on the counter. The dust motes danced in the pale sunlight filtering through the kitchen window.
I picked up my laptop, opened my email, and drafted a message to my lead attorney, Arthur Vance.
Arthur: Please file the restraining orders against Richard, Clara, and Sabrina Hayes immediately. Also, prepare the cease-and-desist letter regarding any future public statements using my children's names.
I hit Send.
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Then my phone buzzed against the marble counter. It wasn't my parents this time. It was an unknown local number, followed by a text message preview that made my blood run cold:
Mrs. Albright? This is Detective Miller with the Arizona State Police. We found something during the follow-up investigation into the Route 66 collision that your husband’s insurance company didn't tell you about. You need to come to the station right now.
