## The Suitcase in the Rain

Arthur Hale placed his daughter’s suitcase on the wet porch.

“You can’t stay here anymore.”

Claire stared at her seventy-six-year-old father as rain swept beneath the porch light.

“Dad… what are you saying?”

Behind Arthur, Claire’s fiancé, Evan Mercer, stood silently in the hallway.

Arthur forced himself to look directly at his daughter.

“Leave tonight. You are no longer welcome in this house.”

Claire’s hand moved instinctively to her pregnant belly.

“I’m carrying your grandchild.”

“I know.”

The answer hurt more than if he had shouted.

Claire searched his face for some sign that this was a misunderstanding. Instead, Arthur pointed toward the taxi waiting by the gate.

“Go to Aunt Sarah’s.”

“What did I do?”

Arthur’s fingers trembled, but he kept them hidden inside his cardigan pocket.

“Please don’t make this harder.”

Claire picked up the suitcase. Evan took one step toward her, but Arthur stopped him.

“You stay. We need to discuss the house.”

Claire looked from her father to the man she planned to marry.

Neither followed her into the rain.

“You chose him over me,” she whispered.

Arthur said nothing as she climbed into the taxi.

The moment it disappeared, he closed and locked the door. His stern expression collapsed. Tears filled his eyes as he pulled a small voice recorder from his pocket.

Evan’s smile faded.

Arthur pressed the red button and turned toward him.

“Now,” he said, “tell me why you took out an insurance policy on my daughter.”