Chapter 19 - Who Paid for Greenwood
The answer was Thomas.
But not in the way Margaret wanted Ryan to believe.
For years, Thomas had secretly paid Greenwood House to keep Anna in a private wing.
Ryan exploded when he learned it.
"You paid them to hold her?"
Thomas shook his head.
"I paid because Margaret threatened to move her to a state facility where I would lose track of her. I told myself private care was protection. It wasn't. It was a prettier cage."
Anna looked at him.
"That's the first honest description you've given."
Thomas nodded.
He had also paid for extra staff, dental care, books, and eventually an outside attorney Anna never received access to.
Every attempt at helping had passed through Margaret or Harlan.
"Why didn't you go in yourself?" Ryan asked.
Thomas's answer was quiet.
"Shame."
Ryan stood.
"Shame is not a locked door. You could have opened it."
"I know."
This time Ryan did not argue with the words.
He simply walked away.
Months later, Margaret accepted a plea agreement only after Harlan agreed to testify and the documentary evidence became overwhelming.
Civil cases followed.
The Carter board recovered stolen pension funds through asset seizures and insurance claims. Independent auditors took control of the records.
Thomas testified publicly about his role.
Jessica left the family business and started over.
Anna reclaimed her legal identity.
And the black jar that had begun everything sat sealed in an evidence room.
One afternoon, Detective Brooks called me.
"I thought you'd want to know. We found the source of the prescription sedative in the mixture."
"Harlan?"
"Yes. But the purchase date matters."
"Why?"
"Because Margaret obtained it before she knew you were having contractions."
I looked at Sophie asleep in my arms.
So there was no argument left that Margaret had merely reacted badly.
She had arrived at my house with a plan.
May you like
And Ryan had come home one day early.
That single change in schedule had saved us from learning how far the plan was meant to go.
