Chapter 7: Eleven at Night

Garner opened his mouth, and for once nothing came out.

"The house is Lorna's," his boss said, and took off his reading glasses.

"And the money in it is a child's college fund."

"It's complicated, sir."

"It's very simple. You have until the dinner to put that money back."

He put the folder down.

"If it isn't back, I won't put your name on the stage."

"I don't have it right now."

"Then find it," the boss said. "Mrs. Eberhardt, I'm sorry you had to bring this in yourself."

"So am I," I said.

I walked out through the sales floor. Twenty headsets turned to follow me and then turned politely away.

Maeve held the elevator door.

"Did you see his face?" she said.

"I saw it."

"I want to frame it."

"I want the money," I said.

That night Poppy fell asleep at nine with her library book open on her chest.

I turned off her lamp and stood in her doorway longer than I needed to.

At eleven someone leaned on my doorbell.

I stood in the dark hall with my phone in my hand and thought about the new locks.

Then he started to pound.

"Fenella! Open the door!"

It was Garner, and his voice had a thickness I knew.

I went to the front window and moved the curtain.

He stood on my porch with his jacket open and his tie pulled loose, swaying a little.

His SUV was parked crooked at the curb with one tire on the grass.

"I know you're in there," he said. "I want my daughter. It's my night."

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