Chapter 17 - Rebecca's Contract
Rebecca Sloan did not run.
She walked into Evan's office with her own attorney and a cooperation agreement.
Rebecca began working for Patricia six years earlier.
At first, it was legal research.
Then document access.
Then changes to foundation paperwork.
Patricia paid her through consulting companies.
"Why the cake?" Daniel asked.
Rebecca looked ashamed.
"The music box contained the key. Patricia needed confirmation it had reached the house."
"So the cake beacon was a tracking device."
"Yes."
"Why destroy it?"
"Evan discovered the transmitter before it could confirm delivery."
"And you wanted me to see Lily crying?"
Rebecca shook her head.
"No. That wasn't planned."
Vanessa had panicked after the cake fell. She blamed Lily because guests were arriving and because fear made her cruel.
The admission came from Vanessa herself.
Daniel looked at his wife.
"You punished a three-year-old because you were scared."
Vanessa cried.
"Yes."
Then Rebecca continued.
Patricia's real objective was the brass key. She believed Robert had hidden the C.L.S. mirror in a bank vault.
She never knew the key led to the old building, which led to the childhood house.
"Why threaten Lily?"
Rebecca lowered her eyes.
"That was Patricia. I refused to be part of it."
"After how many years of helping her?"
Rebecca had no answer.
But she had one last piece of evidence.
A recording made two months earlier.
Patricia discussing the royalty accounts with an unknown man.
The man's voice was digitally distorted.
Near the end he said one clear sentence.
"When Daniel finds out, Vanessa takes the blame."
Vanessa looked up.
Daniel replayed it.
Something about the rhythm felt familiar.
Evan removed the distortion with audio software.
The voice became clear.
Daniel knew it.
Mrs. Hargrove knew it too.
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It belonged to Lily's godfather.
Daniel's business partner, Andrew Vale.
