Page 71 of Charlie
Nathan deserves more than what I can ever give him.
We’ve talked about this.
My mind is sick and darkened by demons that make me see things that aren’t real. I even imagined that you and Nathan would hurt me when I know that the two of you are the only ones who love me despite all my flaws.
Please forgive me for asking you this one last favor. Love Nathan as your own son. He will be without parents but with you to care for him, I know he’ll have the best father he could wish for.
Remind him often that I loved him and that I’ll see him in our next lifetime.
Sandra.
Tears were streaming down my face as I imagined Sandra scared in her room, watching Conor hold a knife to Nathan’s throat and forcing her to write this vile letter to save her son’s life.
Conor gave me a sad look. “Yes, it’s tragic to read her talk about demons in her sick mind, but at least, I’ve kept my promise to her and raised Nathan as my own.”
Nathan sat with his shoulders slumping low and his chin shivering like he was fighting his tears.
“Ciara has already confirmed to the gardas that I was here the night Sandra died, but it worries me that cruel people would rip open this sad and dark chapter again when we worked so hard to close it behind us. That’s why I was quiet this morning.”
With his having Sandra’s letter next to his plate it seemed to me like he had just been waiting for someone to ask what was wrong. He had planned this speech.
“How can we help you?” Sara, a pretty woman in an expensive-looking pantsuit, asked. I had met her last night and knew that she was the lawyer who had invited Charles to meet Conor. I also knew from the children that Sara and Conor often slept together.
Conor watched her and then he glanced around the room at all of us. “Children, please take your plates out, go upstairs, and begin reading. It’s almost eight and I’ll be up in a little while.”
We waited for the children to disappear and then Conor continued. “If any of you think that I could harm one of our family members, then it’s best if we part ways. You’re all successful people and you’ll do fine out in the world.”
“No, no…” All around the table protests sounded.
“I know I seem invincible, but it’s a blow to have someone accuse me of harming a woman I loved.”
“We’re here for you.” Ciara reached out and placed her hand on top of Conors.
Conor was quiet as other members assured him that they couldn’t imagine him doing anything to Sandra.
“Yes. Whatever you need.” Sara, who sat next to him, leaned her cheek against his shoulder. “We’re here for you in this lifetime and the next.”
“How do I know?” His voice was low and when he raised his gaze to look at Sara, warning signals flared up in me. For just a flash, I saw the crazy behind the façade. I looked to Charles hoping he’d seen it too, but he sat with deep frown lines and an expression of sympathy for his friend who was claiming to be wrongly accused.
Sara blinked her eyes. “You know we’d all die for you, just as you’d die for us. That’s not a question.”
Whoa, whoa!My eyes widened as Conor let Sara’s words hang in the air while meeting the eyes of the people sitting at the table.
Ciara nodded to support Sara’s statement and so did the twins and the others. This was so uncomfortable and intense that a sound escaped my throat like a protest to their talk about death.
For a long second Conor’s eyes lingered on Charles before moving on to me. His penetrating glance felt like he was assessing me and I was searching for something to say to change the heavy subject.
Turning his attention back to Sara, Conor spoke in a soft voice that still filled the silent room like he had screamed the two words. “Prove it!”
Sara flared her nostrils at his challenge but gave a short nod.
While I looked on in disbelief, Conor pushed his chair back and walked to a painting in light colors portraying a woman in white walking through a field of corn with her hands reached out to each side, touching the crop with the sun shining down on her. Pushing the painting aside, Conor opened a safe and retrieved a gun.
My eyes were wide as I squeezed Charles’ hand and gave him awhat the fuck?look. He looked as stunned as me and so did everyone else at the table.
Putting down the gun in front of Sara, Conor looked at her. “It’s ready to fire, so prove it.”
She licked her lips and swallowed hard. Her eyes fixed on the gun in front of her. When no one said a word, she picked it up with her hands shaking.
