Chapter 21 - Daniel Asks About the Key
Daniel called.
“Nora?”
“Yes.”
“Do you still have the key?”
I laughed.
“Why?”
“I’ve always wondered.”
“Yes.”
“What did Arthur put in box?”
“You know from trial.”
“No. I mean what did it feel like?”
Strange question.
I thought.
“Like he knew you better than I wanted him to.”
Silence.
“Fair.”
Then:
“Did you hate me when you turned it?”
“No.”
“Really?”
“I was scared.”
That surprised him.
“You looked calm.”
“You weren’t there.”
He had been at mansion.
Right.
Then:
“I imagined you triumphant.”
“No.”
“I think I needed that version.”
“Why?”
“Because if you were triumphant, I could call it revenge.”
There.
“If you were scared, I had to admit I caused fear.”
Good.
Then Daniel asked:
“Why keep key?”
“I don’t know.”
“Throw it out.”
I laughed.
“You giving me instructions?”
He immediately said:
“Sorry.”
Too fast.
We both laughed.
Then:
“Do whatever.”
Progress.
Then he told me Rebecca had died? No, perhaps too dark. Keep alive. Maybe she was dealing with surgery. Not relevant.
Then Daniel said:
“I visited Arthur’s grave.”
“Okay.”
“I told him I finally understand trust.”
“What did he say?”
“Nothing. Very rude.”
I laughed.
Humor.
Then:
“I told him he should’ve fired me sooner.”
“Maybe.”
Then:
“Would that have changed?”
“I don’t know.”
Neither.
No alternate lives.
Then Daniel said:
“I used to think you replaced me.”
“I know.”
“Now I think I was angry there was something I couldn’t inherit.”
My attention sharpened.
“What?”
“Competence.”
That was harsh but insightful.
“You can learn competence.”
“I know.”
“Arthur would say that.”
“I know.”
Then:
“Goodnight, Nora.”
“Goodnight.”
The call ended.
I looked at key.
Maybe I kept it because for years Daniel would have wanted to take it.
Now he told me to throw it away.
Meaning had changed.
May you like
Then I put it back.
Not yet.
