Chapter 7 - JULIAN'S BOAT
Julian died when his sailboat capsized off Block Island.
The weather report that night showed rough water.
Not impossible conditions.
The original inspection said a fuel line ruptured after impact.
Ortiz reopened the case.
A retired marina mechanic remembered Thomas Whitmore's driver visiting the boat the morning Julian died.
The driver claimed he was dropping off campaign material.
Security footage no longer existed.
But Arthur had saved an invoice.
Fuel-system service.
Paid by Whitmore Development.
"My father killed him?"
"We don't know yet."
Maya appreciated the sentence.
Evidence first.
Grief second.
Not the other way around.
Then Preston Hale arrived with two lawyers.
He demanded the drive.
"No."
"Your father was unstable at the end."
"You drafted a trust clause around the death of a child who hadn't been born."
"Estate planning considers contingencies."
"My daughter's death was a contingency?"
That silence traveled through every camera in the room.
Thomas left through a side entrance before agents could question him further.
Not arrested yet.
Margaret stayed.
She believed her name still protected her.
Caroline did not.
Caroline gave Ortiz years of messages.
Her father directing her public appearances.
Margaret telling her what to wear around Daniel.
Preston drafting a prenuptial agreement for a marriage Daniel had never agreed to.
Then Caroline showed Maya one message from yesterday.
Margaret:
Tomorrow morning we remove the child. By Saturday, Daniel will need comfort.
Remove the child.
Caroline whispered, "I thought she meant send you away."
Maya believed her.
Mostly.
Thomas Whitmore's driver had been found near the marina.
Dead in his car.
Apparent suicide.
On the passenger seat was a typed confession.
I sabotaged Julian Brooks's boat alone.
"Too clean."
Maya asked, "Why?"
The driver signed with his right hand.
May you like
His employment medical records said he had lost three fingers on that hand twelve years ago.
The confession was forged.
