Chapter 19 - The Paper Tiger
Claire stepped back and allowed Julianna into the warmth of the foyer, closing the heavy door behind her.
She did not offer a seat, nor did she offer a towel or hot tea.
Mercy was a luxury Claire reserved for those who had simply suffered misfortune, not those who had actively conspired to orchestrate her destruction.
"Sit on the bench," Claire said neutrally, pointing to a polished cedar bench beside the coat rack.
Julianna sank onto the wood, her shivering slowly subsiding as the central heating took hold.
"How long ago did he leave Schaumburg?" Claire asked, leaning against the opposite wall with her arms crossed.
"He rented a car in O'Hare yesterday afternoon," Julianna whispered, wiping her wet cheeks with the back of her sleeve.
"He was drinking, Claire."
"He hasn't slept in three days."
"He kept muttering about how your father stole the Montgomery assets from his family."
Claire allowed a cold, fleeting smile to touch her lips.
"My father kept his family out of federal prison in 1998."
"Daniel knows that," Julianna said quietly, looking down at the slate floor tiles.
"Deep down, he knows it."
"That’s why he can't stop."
"If he admits that you were the one carrying the firm, and that your father carried his father, then his entire identity disappears."
"He would have to admit that he was never an empire builder."
"He was just an expensive ornament on top of your architecture."
Claire pulled her phone from her cardigan pocket.
"Marcus already notified the Maine State Police an hour ago."
"They have a patrol car stationed at the junction of Route 1 and Shore Road."
"He won't make it to this driveway, Julianna."
Julianna looked up, her eyes wide with a strange mixture of dread and revelation.
"You already knew he was coming."
"Of course I knew," Claire said calmly.
"A man like Daniel has only one script."
"When the board removes him, he yells at his secretary."
"When the bank calls his loan, he threatens his accountants."
"And when the woman who gave him his life finally walks out, he follows her, because he doesn't know how to exist without an audience for his grievance."
Julianna stared at the woman before her, realizing with absolute finality that Daniel had never had a chance.
Not in Chicago.
Not in the divorce court.
And not here.
"Then why let me in?" Julianna asked softly.
Claire looked at her, her expression unreadable as the gray sea outside.
"Because you needed to see what dignity looks like when it refuses to negotiate with thieves."
May you like
"Now leave your phone on the table and step out to your car."
"The police will escort you to a motel in Rockland."
