Chapter 24: Open Doors

Margot woke at eight with a newspaper on her stomach and Elias's arm across her ribs.

He had gone out at dawn for coffee and the Tribune, and come back and gone to sleep again with both.

The front page said, WHITCOMBE ARRESTED AT ELLERY BOARD MEETING.

Under it, in smaller type, ELLERY HEIR REVOKES PROXY, THANKS BOARD.

"I didn't thank the board," she said.

"You said thank you at the end."

"I said thank you to the vice chair for holding the door."

"That counts."

His eyes were still closed.

The watch lay on the nightstand, ticking, on its hand-stitched strap.

Her phone buzzed on the pillow.

Bridget, again.

I am bringing a casserole to Lake Forest for the victory dinner, she had written.

Do not stop me. It has a new filling.

What filling?

Hope.

"She's lost her mind," Margot said.

"She's right about the dinner," said Elias, and pulled her back down.

In December the Ellery Foundation held its holiday dinner at the Drake.

It was the same ballroom as the October gala, with the same chandeliers.

She stood at the same table with a glass in her hand.

Nobody looked at her sideways.

Claire had pleaded guilty three weeks earlier.

She would pay back the full amount, and testify, and serve a short sentence that the judge called lenient.

She had written Margot one letter, two lines long, with no circles on the i's.

I'm sorry about the suitcase.

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