Page 105 of Owen

When I look up, Richard looks disinterested. “Hundreds ofpeople from the surrounding areas lost their jobs because of him. I called a meeting with the staff and asked Camilla to take the lead and inform those poor souls that the business has gone into liquidation,” he says casually.

I’m guessing the entire town will now know my father committed arson and fraud.

It’s the one thing I am grateful for. I wasn’t at that meeting to see the looks of disappointment on the faces of people I had worked closely with for years.

Richard continues. “When that report came back, your father knew he couldn’t rebuild, pay off his debts or undo what he did, Owen.” He pauses before he drops the grenade. “So he killed himself.”

Gideon jumps in and pulls the pin. “Along with your mother.” He examines his fingernails as if his words and their lives mean nothing.

“What?” I shout louder than I mean to and look to Camilla, whose eyes have turned glassy. “No way,” I exclaim. “Camilla, tell me this isn’t true?”

She shakes her head and tears freefall, sliding down her cheeks.

I dart my gaze back to the two ogres behind the desk. “The death investigations authority said it was an accident.” This can’t be true.

“You have me to thank for that.” Richard winks. “Their death certificates said accidental death. The evidence proved otherwise.”

“Sorry, why would you have it changed?” I scowl, lost and unable to understand what the fuck is happening. Doing people favors is not something Richard does. There has to be a reason for covering up their cause of death.

“You wouldn’t have received life insurance for them if it was deemed suicide.” Richard leans across the desk.

And there is the reason.

“ButIdidn’t submit paperwork to claim their life insurance.” Then the penny drops.

“As the oldest heir and beneficiary, Camilla did.” Gideon’s devious smile is beginning to annoy me.

No, she didn’t. They did, and I bet it was worth millions, and Camilla obviously got the lot. Greed clearly doesn’t run in my veins like it does in hers.

She’s just like them.

Gideon adds, “It’s all approved and on its way to her as we speak.”

I throw the insurance report onto the desk. “Is that it? That’s what all the dramatics are for? To tell me there was no payout from the business, but you got their life insurance? Great. I’m really happy for you all. Book a vacation. In hell for all I care because, just in case you didn’t get the memo, I’m not interested in the money.” Angrily, I stand and make to leave.

Richard’s voice stops me in my tracks. “He owed me more than the life insurance is paying out.”

I spin quickly back around. “Not my problem.”

“That’s where you are wrong, son. With no business insurance to cover it, and as a director of that company, the responsibility falls to you.”

“I was a director in name only,” I snarl.

“Ah, even just in name, you are still the only other remaining director of that business, and you were the finance director, too. Well, isn’t that convenient?” He’s so casual with his delivery of his non-question, it irks me. “That debt now falls to you.”

“You cannot be serious?”

“Deadly.” He smooths his hand down his tie to straighten it and sits back. “So, here’s what’s going to happen. While Camilla here fell heir to their life insurance, this fucking hideous house has been left in your name.” He twirls his finger in the air.

“You can have it. I’ll sign it over.” I don’t want it. It was worth eight million at its last assessment and I’ll gladly give it all away to get them out of my life.

“Good boy.” He winks.

“Is that it?” I ask hopefully.

When he tilts his head to the side, a simple but menacing crack to his neck tells me it’s not. “You are ten million short.”

“Me?” I point at my chest. “I’mten million short?”

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