Chapter 10 - What the Chandeliers Cost
Jade Mercer met Leah at a quiet diner, not with a camera crew but with a notebook and two coffees.
"I was hired to photograph the gala," Jade said.
"I didn't know Mrs. Ashcroft's foundation was paying the venue's renovation bills."
Leah slid copies of the invoices across the table.
"My sister died because the exits weren't fixed. They used the money to buy chandeliers?"
"That's what the records suggest. But we need independent confirmation before I publish."
"Please don't put Noah's face everywhere."
"I won't. He gets to be a kid, not a headline."
Jade checked the venue's public renovation filings.
The figures aligned almost exactly with the missing Harbor House safety budget.
The contractor listed on both projects was called Bridgepoint Works.
Its registered agent was Colin Rusk's brother.
"Well," Jade said quietly, "that's a connection worth explaining."
Amir asked them to let investigators examine the documents first.
Leah agreed.
She had spent nine months wanting somebody to pay attention.
She wasn't about to risk the case for one dramatic post.
That night Noah asked whether he could still wear the white shirt from the gala.
Leah had washed it twice, but the sauce stain remained faintly visible.
"We can get you a new one," she said.
"I liked that one. Mommy bought it for my birthday."
Leah folded it carefully.
"Then we'll keep it. You don't have to wear it."
He considered that.
"Can we put it in the memory box?"
"Absolutely."
After Noah went to bed, Price called.
The electronic authorization on the Harbor House invoices had been uploaded after Rachel's death, using credentials assigned to her office.
"Someone approved payments in a dead woman's name," Price said.
Leah looked at the folded shirt.
May you like
"Who had her password?"
"We're tracing that now. But the upload came from the foundation's headquarters."
