“I warned you, Blair.”
He stood.
“If you force me to defend myself publicly, I’ll make sure every reporter in Virginia hears about the high-ranking Army officer protecting her violent, unstable mother.”
I let him finish.
Then I said, “I already told my commanding officer.”
He stopped.
“You what?”
“I told him everything.”
His face reddened.
“You stupid bitch. You just destroyed your career for nothing.”
He pointed at me.
“The police report says I’m the victim. It’s your word against mine.”
I reached into my pocket.
For illustration purposes only
And removed Mom’s dictaphone.
Nolan stopped breathing.
“My mother records audiobooks, remember?”
His eyes widened.
“She carries this everywhere.”
“Blair…”
“She turned it on when you started threatening her.”
He raised both hands.
“Wait.”
I pressed play.
Mom’s voice filled our living room.
“I saw the statements. I saw the signature on the mortgage.”
Nolan stumbled backward.
Then his own voice answered from the recorder.
“It was a bad investment. I’m fixing it.”
I let it continue.
The argument.
