Walter hesitated.
“She gave me money.”
My mouth fell open.
“What?”
“Twenty-five thousand.”
“Why?”
“To pay down part of the debt.”
I stared.
“She gave you money to protect Samuel?”
“Yes.”
“Where did she get it?”
“She sold some investments.”
I remembered Chloe mentioning she had cashed out a retirement account early.
I had judged her.
I called her irresponsible.
I told Samuel she spent too much.
My face burned with shame.
“How much does Samuel know?”
“Nothing.”
I stared.
“Nothing?”
“Chloe said she would tell him after I cleared the debt.”
“And you didn’t.”
“I couldn’t.”
“You were busy buying champagne.”
Walter flinched.
Good.
Then I asked.
“The man I saw with Chloe yesterday.”
Walter looked confused.
“What man?”
“Silver SUV.”
“Gray hair.”
He thought.
Then said.
“Probably Elliot Marsh.”
“Who is that?”
“Her attorney.”
Everything inside me stopped.
“Attorney?”
“Yes.”
“Why does she have an attorney?”
