They sent me a thank you for my continued business. My eyes shut. Something surfaced without permission. Declan's hand resting on my shoulder at the graveside, his voice barely above a murmur. Let me carry the load, Dad.
Then Ingrid's voice knifed back through the memory and dragged me into the dark hallway again. All right, so the money is safe now. We just have to get through this week. When do we leave, Chuck? Saturday morning, Declan said.
First class on Emirates, one way to Dubai. I have already been looking at villas on the Palm Jumeirah. You are going to love it, babe. No extradition treaties, no winter, and best of all, no baggage. He let it sit.
No baggage. Speaking of which, Ingrid said, her voice falling lower. What happens with your father? We cannot just leave him sitting in the penthouse. The landlord will find him when the lease runs out next month.
The room went quiet. Ice shifted in a glass Declan was drinking. "So, forget about him," Declan said.
I handled it today. I sat with Dr. Fitch and we had a thorough conversation. Dr. Fitch, an old college acquaintance of Declan.
I'd been introduced to him once. A man with eyes that gave back nothing. What did he say? Ingrid asked. For $10,000, Dr.
Fitch is willing to sign anything. Declan said he put together a full medical record advanced Alzheimer's diagnosis violent tendencies. He certified that Walter Dunore is a danger to himself and to others. Violent tendencies. In my entire life, I had never lifted a hand at another soul.
I was the man who would scoop a spider from the bathroom floor and carry it outside rather than see it crushed underfoot. "So what does that actually get us?" Ingrid asked. "It means we avoid the expensive private facilities entirely," Declan said.
"With that paperwork, I have legal grounds to have him involuntarily committed to a state institution. I've already identified one on the south side of the city. Grim place, understaffed, barebones budget. They keep residents sedated for compliance, and nobody looks too closely." Ingrid gave a thin, uncertain laugh.
Is it safe enough for him? He will not know where he is, Declan said. His mind is nearly gone. We drop him off Friday night after the party. We tell him it is a routine checkup.