All the Money in the World

Chapter 28

Two days after Katie and Happy had been interviewed, Dina was sitting at the Teller's kitchen table with both Jax and Tara. At this meeting she was much more polite.

"Charlotte is a wonderful child," she said with a smile. "I want what's best for her, whatever that is, it's my job."

"Being with Katie is what's best for her," Jax said staunchly.

Dina nodded. "You've never witnessed anything that may make either of you concerned for her? When I was there the other day I found Miss Feldstein on the floor with-"

"With her fiancé," Tara piped in. "We all get a little carried away sometimes. Charlotte was having her lunch, she wasn't in the room."

"She was in the kitchen, having her lunch, a gun not ten feet from her on the refrigerator."

Jax scoffed. "She can't reach up there."

"Children climb Mr. Teller, you have two boys you should know," she said disapprovingly.

"I'm not doing this with you," Jax said forcefully. "Katie is a good mom, she lives for those kids, I've never seen shit that makes me think Charlotte or Nathaniel are in danger." He leaned over the table. "You should go."

Dina looked at Tara. "And you, ma'am?"

"Nothing," Tara said firmly. "The only other person I'd ever trust with my boys is Katie."

"I see," Dina huffed. "I'll be meeting with your daughter this afternoon. Hopefully she confirms everything you're all so adamant about."

She gathered her things and saw herself to the door. Tara exhaled a large dramatic breath and shook her head. "She's gonna check here next, Jax. You shouldn't have talked to her like that."

"This is bullshit and that bitch knows it," he spat bitterly. "Let her come around here, I don't give a shit, we got nothing to hide."

He stormed out of the kitchen and Tara sighed, leaning her elbows on the table. She felt as if she were the only one keeping it together despite being sure this mess was on her.

—

"Hi Charlotte," Dina said cheerfully as she entered Alec's office. "How are you?"

Looking at the woman with uncertainty she shrugged. "I'm bored."

"This does look like a boring place for a kid," Dina commiserated. "If you could be anywhere right now where would you want to be?"

Charlotte thought hard on the question, her little face scrunched up, and finally came to a conclusion. "The Teller Tree," she said happily.

"What's the Teller Tree?" Dina asked with interest.

"It's a big giant tree by the lake! Daddy takes me and Abel and Thomas there!" She explained. "Sometimes Mommy comes, or Tara too!"

Dina smiled at that. "Wow, that sounds fun."

"It is," Charlotte said with wide eyes and an exaggerated nod.

"Where do you like to go with Mommy?"

Again, she paused to think, before answering enthusiastically. "Sometimes Mommy takes me to work and we make ice cream!"

"Where's Mommy's work?" Dina asked with a quick glance toward Alec.

"Scoops and Sweets!" Charlotte clapped. "They have candy and ice cream and games!"

Dina nodded. "What about besides work?"

"We go to the park with Happy," she explained. "And sometimes Happy takes me to the creek and we dig in the mud!"