I step out. The officer approaches first, polite but firm. “Ms. Fairfax?”
“Yes.”
“We received a request for a welfare check on Arthur Fairfax. Concern that he may be isolated.”
I keep my voice even, calm, neutral.
“It’s late. He is not missing, they saw him on Thanksgiving, the one day a year they actually show up. Two adult women ensuring they give ‘Daddy’ their Christmas list. The people on his payroll see him more than they do, care more than they ever have. His board had a meeting with him just the other day.” I bait, and they bite.
“A video conference.” Bianca scoffs. “She won’t let us see him.”
“If you wanted to see him, you should have come here at a decent hour instead of showing up at the game. But that wasn’t part of your little plan, was it?” I look back at the officer. “He’s in bed by eight or eight thirty every night, has been for years, they’d know this if they cared at all.”
The officer holds up a hand, cutting them off. “This isn’t about access.” Then to me. “I do need to visually confirm he’s okay or speak with him briefly. Alone.”
I nod. “I understand. He can speak with you briefly. In the morning. I’ll add it to his schedule.”
The officer hesitates. “Normally, yes. But since the complaint was made tonight, I need confirmation now or documentation explaining why that’s not appropriate.”
Before I can respond, Claudia steps forward. Not emotional, not defensive, just the calm she carries even now.
“Officer,” she says, careful with every word, “you’re asking to verify well-being, not to mediate family conflict, right?”
He looks at her. “That’s correct.”
She nods to me.
“I hold amedical doctorate,” Rathburn says, lips curling with satisfaction. “I’m a psychiatrist, not a psychologist. I was contacted by concerned parties, and as a licensed physician, I’m fully qualified to be present.” She glares, freaking glares at Claudia. “Frankly, Officer, I’m far more equipped to assess Arthur Fairfax’s condition than anyone standing here.”
“You’re a?—”
Claudia and that calm breeze in, “Then you certainly know the difference between a visual and full evaluation, yes, Ms. Rathburn?”
“You’re being insubordinate. I am your boss.”
Claudia shakes her head, “I’m employed by the team.” Then she fully turns her back to her, blocking her, and looks at me.
“She’s been isolating him. We’ve been concerned for weeks.” Rathburn hisses.
The officer’s head snaps toward her. “We?”
Rathburn straightens, “The family and those concerned for them. The shareholders. People with a vested interest in Arthur Fairfax’s wellbeing.”
There it is.
I feel James stiffen behind me.
The officer’s tone cools several degrees. “Are you alleging a crime?”
Rathburn hesitates. Just a beat too long. “Well—control. Undue influence. That sort of thing.”
Elena jumps in, eager. “She controls his schedule, his access, everything. That’s not normal.”
Bianca folds her arms. “We’re worried she’s manipulating him.”
The officer holds up a hand. “Let’s slow down.”
He turns to Rathburn again. “You’re not immediate family.”
