Chapter 58(The Call)

The moment Eleanor’s car disappeared down the driveway, Richard’s composure shattered.

Pamela. He promised to keep her safe. And he would. He couldn’t let this happen.

Richard grabbed his phone from the counter, his fingers moving before his mind could fully catch up. He scrolled to Pamela’s contact, hesitated for half a second, then pressed call.

It rang once. Twice.

Then—

“Hello?”

Her voice was small.

Richard closed his eyes. “Don’t say a word.”

A beat of silence. Then, “What?”

“At the hearing or summons,” he said, his voice low, measured. “If they ask you anything—anything—you don’t answer. You say you don’t remember. You say nothing.”

Another pause. He could almost hear the way her breath hitched, the way her fingers must be tightening around the phone.

“Richard, I—”

“No.” He cut her off, sharper than he intended. He softened his tone. “Don’t explain. Don’t defend yourself. Don’t give them anything to use against you.”

A shaky exhale on the other end. “Okay.”

“I’ll