Chapter 14 - Claire Runs
Claire drove north.
She had no destination.
Only distance.
She withdrew six thousand dollars from her savings account.
She turned off her phone.
She bought a cheap prepaid device at a gas station.
Then she called Daniel.
“They found the loading dock footage.”
Daniel said nothing.
“Did you hear me?”
“Yes.”
“We need to leave.”
“No.”
Claire gripped the phone.
“What?”
“I’m done.”
“You’re involved too.”
“I know.”
“So you understand what happens if they go to police.”
“Yes.”
Claire slowed the car.
Daniel’s voice sounded tired.
“I spent thirteen years waiting for this call.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m turning myself in.”
Claire laughed.
“You’re joking.”
“No.”
“You’ll go to prison.”
“Maybe.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
Daniel paused.
“My wife died last year.”
“My kids barely speak to me.”
“I kept thinking all the money would make life easier.”
“It didn’t.”
Claire’s voice turned cold.
“Don’t become righteous now.”
“I’m not righteous.”
“I’m guilty.”
The words silenced her.
Daniel continued.
“So are you.”
Claire disconnected.
Twenty minutes later, her prepaid phone rang.
She hesitated before answering.
It was her daughter, Rachel.
“How did you get this number?”
“Daniel called me.”
Claire nearly drove off the road.
“What did he tell you?”
“Everything.”
Claire closed her eyes.
Rachel was crying.
“Mom, please tell me it isn’t true.”
Claire said nothing.
“Did you frame that woman?”
“It was complicated.”
“That means yes.”
“You don’t understand.”
“I was overlooked for years.”
“Grace walked in and everyone loved her.”
“She got promoted.”
“She got credit.”
“She got everything.”
Rachel’s voice trembled.
“So you destroyed her life?”
Claire slammed her palm against the steering wheel.
“I did what I had to do.”
The silence that followed was worse than screaming.
Rachel finally whispered.
“No.”
“You did what you wanted to do.”
Then she ended the call.
May you like
Claire stared at the empty highway ahead.
For the first time, there was no one left to blame.
