Page 46 of Evidence of Deceit

Claire rubbed her brow. It would be more money than she ever had. Keith wouldn’t be able to tell her how to spend it, but did she want his money? She hadn’t married him for his money. The other side of the coin was that she was broke. Had no immediate prospect for making money and was living at Joe’s house. She looked at her hands, then at Carl.

“Sell it all.”

Carl blinked hard and stammered. “Sell it all?”

He looked down at the figures, then up at her. “Claire, take a day. Think about this. You’ll be set for life. Either way you’ll be set for life, but investments pay way more money.”

“I don’t need to think about it. I don’t want anything of Keith’s. Not his buildings, not his penthouse, not his money, not the stocks and bonds, and not the jewelry or clothes he gave me. Sell it all and let me know how much you get. I’ll need some to live on, but that’s all I want.”

“Are you sure? It might take some time. I’m not sure what the market is like. If we wait, you might get more.”

Claire sat back in her chair. More money? Money never made anyone happy. She wasn’t happy. But she knew what to do with what she received to make up for all of Keith’s transgressions.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Sheri had to work, so she and Claire said their goodbyes at the hotel.

“Are you nervous?” asked Sheri. Her eyebrows drew together as she rubbed Claire’s arm.

“Ah, heck, yeah. I haven’t mentioned much of what happened with Keith to my parents. They deserve to know, but it’s going to be embarrassing.”

“Oh, hon. Don’t be embarrassed,” said Sheri. She lowered her voice. “Never be embarrassed. That was on Keith, not you.”

Claire shrugged. “I know, but it will take time to remember that.”

Sheri’s cab arrived, and she waved goodbye to Claire.

Standing in front of the Plaza with people walking around her, people everywhere, Claire never felt so much alone. She rented a car, then called her parents. She was both anxious and scared to see them. Her heart was pounding. Why should she be so anxious? Her parents would love her, no matter what. They probably already suspected what Claire was goingto tell them. She sighed. Standing on the street wasn’t helping. She needed to get this over with.

Though she sang with the radio to distract her, the hour drive to Larchmont didn’t allay her fears. Claire arrived at her parents’ house and stared at the stairs leading up to the front door. Turned off the car and couldn’t move. She was afraid. Didn’t want to do this. When had her life become so pathetic? She shook her head—time to pull up her big-girl panties and get on with life.

She got out of the car and walked up the path to ring the doorbell. Heard footsteps, forced a smile. Her dad opened the door, and she flung herself in his arms.

“Ah, Claire. Sweetheart, I can’t tell you how good it is to see you,” he murmured as he rubbed her back. She inhaled his familiar scent. Stopped herself from sobbing in his arms.

He gave her the comfort she’d been needing. Finally, she released him.

“Come on in. Mom is anxious to see you.”

Claire followed her dad into the spacious family room. Her mom got up and hugged her, and Claire clung to her. Closed her eyes. This was her family. Her comfort. Her peace. When her mom stepped back, Claire looked around the familiar room.

Stopped.

Sitting quietly in a corner chair was Joe. He looked at her and gave her a small smile. What was he doing here?

“Didn’t expect to see you here,” she said.

“I know. But no way in hel … heck was I letting you do this alone.”

“When did you get in?”

“Just a few minutes ago.”

Claire wasn’t sure how she felt about Joe being there. Sure, he’d heard her story, but would it be embarrassing to have him there while she told her parents? The more shethought about it, the more comforting the thought of Joe being there seemed. He always had her back.

“Claire, I know you’re as surprised to see Joe as we were, but it’s good to see you both,” said her dad. “We are so sorry about Keith’s death.”

Claire nodded.

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