Chapter 7 - The Maid of Honor
Caroline Hayes was not a notary anymore.
Her commission had expired eight months earlier.
The forged documents were dated last month.
That made the stamp useless.
It also made the intent harder to explain away.
Police interviewed her.
Caroline cried within ten minutes.
Vanessa had asked her to “witness estate paperwork.”
She claimed she did not know signatures were forged.
Rachel believed part of that.
Caroline admitted Vanessa talked constantly about Lily’s trust.
“She said Daniel was irresponsible with money.”
Then Caroline said:
“She said the trust should be managed by someone who understood Lily.”
“Meaning Vanessa?”
“Yes.”
Rachel asked:
“Did she ever talk about Pine Hollow?”
Caroline’s face changed.
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Before Christmas.”
That was four months ago.
Before the behavioral folder.
Before the hidden camera edits.
Before the so-called evaluation.
The plan was older than the evidence.
Caroline handed over messages.
Vanessa:
Once she’s at Pine Hollow, Daniel will finally understand she needs professional help.
Caroline:
Vanessa:
Then the court will say yes.
Another:
Eric says thirty days becomes ninety if the treatment team recommends it.
Caroline:
Vanessa:
Rachel circled the sentence.
Because Lily’s trust would pay.
Then Caroline produced one more message.
Vanessa:
The maid is the only problem.
Daniel’s stomach tightened.
Caroline:
Vanessa:
I tried. Daniel likes her.
Caroline:
Then make him think she’s stealing.
Two weeks earlier, Vanessa had accused her of taking a bracelet.
The bracelet later “turned up” in Maria’s cleaning cart.
Daniel remembered almost firing her.
He had believed she might be lying.
“I’m sorry.”
“Later.”
Rachel asked:
“Did Vanessa plant the bracelet?”
Caroline covered her face.
“Yes.”
Then Caroline whispered:
“There’s something worse.”
“Vanessa kept a second camera.”
“Where?”
“In Lily’s room.”
Daniel stopped breathing.
Maria whispered:
“No.”
Caroline looked at him.
“She said she needed footage of nighttime ‘episodes.’”
Daniel’s voice went flat.
“Where is the camera?”
May you like
Caroline swallowed.
“Inside the smoke detector.”
