Page 93 of Charlie
“Charles.” My grandfather sighed. “Open your eyes. Conor drove River’s mother crazy and she’s now in a mental institution. We are building a case to prove that he killed Nathan’s mother, and Jim Maddox too.”
“Who’s that?”
“A man who blackmailed Conor. He had a recording of Conor forcing Sandra to write her suicide letter and swallow the pills that killed her. Conor is a murderer and from what I understand he has a gun in the house.”
“Yeah, but…” It was like my brain was trying to catch up to everything my grandfather was saying. “You really believe he’s a killer?”
“Yes, and it’s only a matter of time before we can prove it. I’m telling you that Conor will be in jail soon. If we can’t prove murder then we can go after him for using the Red Manor Foundation to commit major fraud.”
I was quiet and thinking everything over.
“Are you there, Charles?”
“Yes, I’m still here.”
“It’s a lot to take in, I understand.”
“My head feels like a hoarder’s house with too many questions and thoughts.”
“You need to talk to Kit. She can help you with answers.”
“Is she the tall ginger who came to the manor with her father?”
“Yes. She’s the private detective who has been working with Liv to get information on Conor and get you out.”
“Yes, I want to talk to her, and I want that report you mentioned.”
“Kit has it. I can text you her number.” He coughed again.
“Are you okay? You sound sick.”
“Yes. That’s why I want you to come home and see me. I might not have long left and I worry that I won’t get a chance to make peace with you before I die. That’s all.”
“Make peace with me; what do you mean?”
“The last time we talked, you told me I had never loved you and that you had found the family you always longed for, but never had.”
My left hand lifted to rub my face. “I only said that because you kept pushing me to come back to work at Solver. It should be my choice, and nothing in my life ever felt like I had a choice!” My voice rose a bit.
“I’m sorry that you felt that way. But for all it’s worth, Charles…” He sighed. “I always wanted for you to be your own man and I see great strength in you. If you don’t want to listen to me, that’s fine. I’m just grateful that you’re no longer under Conor’s power. I’ve hardly done anything but worry about how to get you free of his mind control.”
The sincerity in my grandfather’s voice moved me, but we had never been used to sharing our emotions with each other. “Yeah, well, we can talk about it next time I’m back. I have to figure out what’s up and down with Liv, Conor, and the Red Manor group.”
“You do that, and I’d appreciate an update when you can.”
“Okay. Don’t forget to send me the number of the private detective.”
“I’m old but I’m not senile. You’ll have the number as soon as we hang up.”
My grandfather was in his seventies and the type who couldn’t both talk on the phone and navigate his contact list, so I ended the call and waited a few minutes until a text came in with a local number for a Kathy O’Rourke.
CHAPTER 23
Unhinged
Liv
My heart felt like it had been stabbed, stomped on, and beaten up by a madman all at once. To see the confusion and disappointment on Charles’ face, when I chose to stay instead of leaving with him, had just about killed me.
