Chapter 2 - The Debt That Grew While I Slept
I had heard my father's name in dreams.
Never in Roman Costa's study.
Vale entered carrying a black portfolio.
He smiled when he saw me.
That smile had always made my skin crawl.
"Norah. Still working hard?"
I held the statement against my chest.
"Why is the balance higher?"
His smile vanished.
"That is a private accounting matter."
"It's my debt."
"Your father's debt," he corrected.
Roman leaned against his desk.
"Answer her."
Vale adjusted his cuff.
"Interest. Administrative expenses. Security costs."
"Show me the contracts," I said.
Vale looked at Roman.
Roman looked at me.
"She asked you a question."
Vale opened his portfolio reluctantly.
There were copies of signatures.
Some looked like my father's handwriting.
Others did not.
I remembered helping Dad practice his signature.
His final letter always slanted upward.
On these pages, it dropped sharply.
"That's not his signature."
Vale laughed without warmth.
"Grief changes memory."
"It doesn't change handwriting."
Roman held out his hand.
I gave him the page.
His eyes moved across the dates.
"This agreement was signed last November."
I nodded.
"Dad died two years ago."
The silence stretched.
Vale reached for the document.
Roman moved it away.
"Leave us."
"Mr. Costa, I can explain—"
"Then explain it to the auditors tomorrow."
Vale went pale.
He left without his portfolio.
I watched the door close.
"Am I free?" I asked.
Roman didn't answer immediately.
"The contract may be fraudulent."
"That wasn't my question."
He rubbed his forehead.
For once, he looked tired.
"No one will collect from you tonight."
I almost laughed.
One night.
That was the freedom he offered.
"I need the truth," I said.
"Then stop being afraid to ask for it."
The cruelty of that sentence hit hard.
"You taught me to be afraid."
He flinched.
Only slightly.
But I saw it.
I took the documents and walked out.
In the corridor, Finn waited by the stairwell.
His face had lost its easy smile.
"Are you okay?"
"No."
It was the first honest answer I'd given all day.
He glanced behind me.
"I found something in the motor pool."
He opened his palm.
A brass key rested there.
Attached was a tiny paper tag.
The handwriting was my father's.
May you like
And the tag carried one word.
NORAH.
