Chapter 43: Richard's Arrest

Richard Whitmore was arrested on a Tuesday morning.

He did not run. Perhaps he had no place left to go. Police escorted him from the Whitmore estate while cameras captured every second. He wore a dark coat, his face gray, his eyes fixed on the ground.

Scarlett watched the footage from Alexander's hospital room.

For years, she had imagined confronting her father and demanding he explain how love could disappear so easily. Now she knew love had not disappeared. It had been too weak to survive greed, shame, and Evelyn's ambition.

Grace arrived with the formal charges printed in a folder.

'Conspiracy, fraud, obstruction, evidence tampering related to Isabella's death investigation, misuse of trust funds, and possible involvement in the attempted guardianship petition.'

Scarlett's throat tightened. 'And the accident?'

'Still under investigation. The ledger shows payments, but Hale is blaming Evelyn. Evelyn is blaming Hale and Richard. Richard claims he never intended physical harm.'

Alexander, awake but pale, gave a humorless laugh. 'They will all try to drown each other now.'

Scarlett looked at the screen where her father disappeared into a police car.

'I should feel something clearer,' she said. 'Relief. Anger. Joy. Instead I feel twelve years old.'

Alexander watched her carefully. 'He was your father before he became your enemy.'

'Does that make me foolish?'

'It makes you human.'

Later that day, Richard requested to speak with her. Scarlett refused twice. On the third request, he included a handwritten note.

I know where Isabella's final letter is.

Scarlett stared at the line until her vision blurred.

Alexander said quietly, 'You do not have to go.'

'Yes,' Scarlett replied. 'I do.'

The meeting took place at the courthouse holding room. Richard sat behind glass, older than he had looked that morning.

When Scarlett entered, his face crumpled.

'My daughter,' he whispered.

Scarlett stopped in front of him. 'Do not call me that unless you are ready to tell the truth.'

Richard swallowed hard.

'Your mother wrote you a letter the night she died,' he said. 'Evelyn hid it. I found it later and kept it because I was a coward.'

Scarlett's heart pounded.

'Where is it?'

Richard closed his eyes.

'In your grandfather's old piano.'