“No. I said she could have them after I was done.”
Elaine turned the phone so I could see. Tara had sent her the messages between herself and Nick. They showed that he had told Tara I had agreed to give her the clothes and that she could sell the pieces she did not need.
I recognized the way he wrote. There was no confusion in the messages about when I had agreed. He had told Tara it was settled.
“You told her to sell them?” I asked.
Nick glanced at the phone. “She needed help.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
“She was short on money. I thought she could use the clothes.”
“To wear, or to sell?”
He hesitated. “Some of them didn’t fit her.”
“That doesn’t answer it,” Elaine said.
Tara had shown Elaine the messages when Elaine called her the night before. Elaine told us that Tara had admitted Nick knew I had not agreed. He had told Tara I had, then encouraged her to list the clothes. Tara had sold several items, including the green dress. Elaine had gone to Tara that morning and brought back what remained.
