Sign the Papers Mr. Langford novel Chapter 333

"Probably."

She looked back up at him.

"That's why I need to go and get some answers."

Leo stared down in thought for a long moment, then pushed his workbook slightly toward her.

"I'll do my homework by myself tonight. You can go focus on your mom."

Wren smiled and ruffled his hair.

"You keep writing. I'll just stay right here with you."

She didn't tell him that the phone call she had been waiting for was about to arrive.

At 8:07 PM, her phone screen lit up.

Quentin Whitaker.

Wren glanced at it, activated the voice recorder, and answered.

"What the hell are you digging into now?" Quentin's voice smashed through the receiver, laced with long-suppressed rage. "Wren, are you seriously rummaging through The Whitaker Estate's old shell companies now?"

Wren leaned against the balcony door, watching through the glass as Leo bent over the table, his little face a picture of intense focus.

"I'm looking for Vivian's belongings."

"Her things were disposed of a long time ago!"

"Disposed of how?"

The line hitched.

Wren's voice was deadpan. "The desk was moved from the house to Unit 3 at Channing Road Storage Depot. The lessee was Vanguard Trading Co., and you were the legal representative. Dad, do you want to tell me why you used your own shell company to specifically hide her desk?"

Quentin's breathing grew heavier.

"Who's feeding you this nonsense? Mrs. Higgins? She's ancient! What could she possibly remember?"

"She remembers the license plate number. She remembers the boxes being wrapped in cotton cloth, and she remembers you standing in the yard chainsmoking half a pack of cigarettes." Wren stared out the window. "She also remembers Lydia coming downstairs and asking if they should take Vivian's trophies away, too."

Only the faint static of the line remained.

Those few seconds of dead air were more of an answer than any furious denial could be.

When Quentin finally spoke again, his tone had lowered into a warning.

"Wren, dragging up the past won't do anyone any good. You're raising a kid now, and your career is finally back on track. Why drag yourself into this mess?"

"I was never the one who dragged myself into it."

"Mom?"

Wren stopped the recording, her face a mask of serenity by the time she turned around.

"Did you finish your homework?"

The boy nodded, glancing up at her.

"Quentin sounded really mean."

Wren walked over and crouched down in front of him.

"Him being mean is his problem. If you're scared, you can always tell me."

Leo set his pencil down, hesitated for a moment, then reached out and threw his arms around her neck.

"I am a little scared."

Wren hugged him back fiercely.

"Then it's okay to be scared for a minute."

The boy leaned against her shoulder, slowly exhaling a breath.