Page 151 of The Penalty

“Yes?”

“I have some paperwork for you to sign from Oliver Godfrey,” the man says. “Can I come in?”

“Sure.” I step aside. “We can take it to the kitchen table.”

Could Oliver have bought the property that fast? It seems impossible but I guess he does have a lot of influence.

The man pulls papers out of his briefcase, setting them on the table. “These are for this residence,” he recites our address and slides them over to me.

“Wait what?” I’m confused. “I thought it was for…” I get my phone out and pull up the address of the condo we looked at in the West Village.

“Those we’ll have to you by the end of the week. Mr. Godfrey initiated the purchase of this property months ago. It’s been in negotiations since before Christmas.” His words make me stop. “The landlord was reluctant to sell, so it took some work, but we got the deal done. If you just sign the papers, it’s all yours.”

He bought my mom’s place before Christmas?

Could this have been blackmail? Surely he would have said so at our meeting if he wanted to use it. Right?

“Before Christmas?”

“Mr. Godfrey intended for it to be a holiday gift to you, but it took some time, so he wanted to bring it to you now as we just finished it.”

I stare at him, struck speechless again.

“If you’ll just sign here.” He holds out a pen.

I sign and I’m still reeling after he leaves. I hold the paperwork not sure what to make of it.

“Why would Oliver buy my condo?” Mom asks.

“I’m guessing as a gesture of goodwill.” I guess Owen was right about Oliver.

“Can I see?”

I hand over the papers.

She flips through them. “Did you read these?”

I shake my head. “No, this is the first time I’ve seen them.”

“He didn’t just buy my apartment. He bought the building.”

“What?” I ask, sinking to a seat. “You’re kidding.”

“No, it’s the whole building.” She holds it out for me to see.

“They’re yours. You should retire.” I fight tears. That fucking bastard. Owen knew all along too, and he didn’t say a word. I knew I’d made the right decision siding with my brothers. Not that I’d doubted it, but I really knew now.

“You can’t give this to me.”

“I can. They are yours. Please retire. Enjoy your life. Dad took enough of it from you. I know that’s what Oliver would want too.”

She takes a seat at the table, still staring at the papers.

I get up and kiss her forehead. “I need to go talk to Tobi, but I’ll be back later. Okay?”

“Teddy, is Tobi here?”

“He’s in his room,” Teddy says, not looking up from his phone. He’s staring at it so intensely I’m not sure I want to ask what he’s looking at.

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