Chapter 11
Richard lowered his voice.
“Six weeks ago, the foundation’s counsel noticed a discrepancy in a property transfer. A parcel originally acquired through the renewal initiative was listed as collateral in a loan connected to Vale Development Group.”
I stared at him.
“What parcel?”
“An office building on Wabash.”
“Is that the one Dominic renovated last year?”
“Yes.”
“He told me it was a private equity partnership.”
“It was.”
“What does that mean?”
“The foundation owned a controlling interest in the partnership through the old holding company. The interest was never properly released.”
A cold uneasiness moved through me.
“Are you saying Dominic borrowed money against something he didn’t fully own?”
“I’m saying the records are complicated enough that the answer cannot be given casually.”
“Have you confronted him?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because if the documents were interpreted incorrectly, an accusation would damage people who had nothing to do with the original agreement.”
Richard’s restraint was typical of him. He could make caution sound like principle because, for him, it was.
“But you knew I was married to him.”
“I knew.”
“And you knew his company might be using an asset connected to me.”
“I suspected.”
The word landed hard.
“You suspected and said nothing?”
His eyes held mine.
“I tried to reach you.”
I frowned.
“When?”
“Three times over the past year.”
I searched his face.
“I don’t remember that.”
“I sent a letter to the penthouse. I asked Margaret to call you. I left a message through your assistant.”
“My assistant?”
“Clara.”
Clara had worked for Dominic, not me. She managed his calendar, screened calls, and occasionally answered messages addressed to both of us.
I remembered her telling me Richard had called about an old charitable matter.
She had said it was not urgent.
I had never returned the call.
A painful realization settled over me.
Perhaps Richard had tried.
Perhaps Dominic had made sure I never understood why.
“Why didn’t you contact me directly?” I asked.
“I did not want to interfere in your marriage.”
“You could have told me there was a legal matter.”
“You had made it clear you wanted distance.”
“I was not asking you to respect my silence if my future was involved.”
He nodded once.
“You’re right.”
The simple admission left me unexpectedly speechless.
Richard had always seemed impossible to offend. Now I saw the regret beneath his calm.
“I should have insisted,” he continued. “But I believed you were happy. Dominic presented a convincing picture of stability.”