Chapter 7: The River Cabin
Two days later, Julian backed his station wagon up the narrow gravel driveway of his late father’s cabin in the valley. The small wooden house sat nestled among tall white pines, thirty miles south of Blackwood Ridge. The air here was cool and smelled of resin and damp earth.
Julian carried Maya’s canvas bag inside while Maya walked slowly behind him, holding a small stuffed bear she had kept since she was a toddler. The cabin was dusty, but the cedar walls were sound, and the stone fireplace in the living room looked sturdy and warm.
He spent the afternoon clearing spiderwebs, opening windows to let the pine air circulate, and laying clean cotton sheets over the twin mattress in the small back bedroom.
By dusk, a small fire crackled in the hearth, throwing warm orange light across the room. Maya sat on a rug near the hearth, watching a pot of vegetable soup simmer on the wood-burning stove.
A car door slammed outside in the driveway. Julian stood up, stepping toward the window.
A sleek silver sedan was parked beside his wagon. Clara stepped out, dressed in a plain grey trench coat. She stood in the gravel for a long moment, looking up at the modest cabin before walking slowly toward the porch steps.
Julian opened the front door before she could knock. He stepped onto the porch, pulling the door shut behind him to keep the warm air inside.
"How did you find us?" Julian asked flatly.
"Your brother told me," Clara said softly. Her blonde hair was tied back in a simple knot, and she looked visibly exhausted, the polished veneer from two nights ago entirely gone. "Julian, I didn't come to argue. I brought these."
She pulled an envelope from her coat pocket and held it out. "It’s a copy of the corporate disclosure forms from three years ago. My uncle hid them from the board. I didn't know the extent of the tannery contamination until this morning when the state officers served a warrant on our main office."
Julian looked down at the paper envelope, but didn't reach for it. "Why are you giving this to me, Clara?"
"Because Maya got hurt," Clara said, her voice catching slightly. "I was stupid, Julian. I thought I could manage the renovation, save the family business, and fix the plumbing before anyone noticed. I was wrong."
"You risked her life for a real estate investment," Julian said quietly.
"I know," Clara whispered, looking away toward the pine trees. "And I don't expect you to bring her back to the mansion. But you need these papers if you're going to hold Arthur accountable. He's trying to blame the leak on the construction crew."
Julian slowly reached out and took the envelope from her hands. "Thank you for bringing them."
May you like
Clara nodded slowly, tears welling in her eyes. "Can I see her?"
Julian looked back at the wooden door. "Not tonight, Clara. She needs time. We both do."
