Chapter 11 - The Last Conversation With Grandpa
They met behind reinforced glass.
Richard picked up the phone.
Isabelle did the same.
I watched from another room.
He began with the usual tools.
Guilt.
Family.
Duty.
Money.
Then threats.
“You’ll destroy everything.”
Isabelle remained silent.
“You’ll leave your son with nothing.”
Still silent.
“I protected you.”
That finally made her speak.
“No.”
Richard stopped.
“You controlled me.”
His expression hardened.
“You’re confused.”
“No.”
“You need me.”
“No.”
“You think Daniel will stay after this?”
Isabelle glanced toward the observation window.
She couldn’t see me.
But she knew I was there.
“This isn’t about Daniel.”
Richard frowned.
“For once in my life, Dad, this is about me.”
Then she told him she would testify.
Richard’s mask disappeared.
He shouted.
She didn’t.
He threatened.
She didn’t move.
Finally, Isabelle placed the phone down.
Richard slapped the glass.
She stood.
And walked away.
Outside, she collapsed against me.
But she was smiling through tears.
“He can’t scare me anymore.”
That evening, we told Toby his grandfather would not be coming home.
Toby was quiet.
Then he asked, “Does that mean he can’t hurt anyone?”
“Not from where he is.”
Toby nodded.
“Good.”
But the trials had not even started.
And Andrew Vale had requested something extraordinary.
He wanted to speak to me.
May you like
Alone.
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