Chapter 15 - BROTHER AND SISTER
For the first time in their lives, Evan and Claire sat in the same room without competing for a dead man's love.
They spread every document across the dining table.
Mara's stock certificate.
Samuel's ledger.
Robert's codicil.
The microfilm.
Foundation transfers.
Phone records.
Claire stared at the mess.
"We look insane."
"We were raised inside a lie."
"I'm sorry about dinner."
Claire continued.
"I'm sorry about a lot more than dinner."
"I know."
"That isn't forgiveness."
"No."
"Okay."
It was the first apology Evan had ever received from her that did not ask him to make her feel better.
They found the next clue in Robert's phone backup.
A calendar entry on the day he died.
8:00 p.m. - Martin - FINAL MEETING - storage unit 311.
Claire looked up.
"Dad didn't die near a storage facility."
"Maybe he never made it there."
The unit was registered under a holding company Samuel recognized.
Police obtained a warrant after the district attorney reviewed the evidence.
One contained Bennett & Cole's original corporate books.
A third contained a small bottle of prescription heart medication with Robert's name on it.
The label did not match the drug found in his medical records.
"These pills could cause dangerous rhythm problems in someone with his condition."
"Could they kill him?"
"Potentially."
Claire sat down on a box.
Then an investigator called from the other side of the unit.
"You need to see this."
He held up a small voice recorder.
The final file was dated the night Robert died.
Martin's voice came through first.
"You send that evidence, you lose everything."
Robert answered, "Then I lose everything."
Martin laughed.
"You think this is about money?"
Then Martin said, "I already took care of Mara."
Claire grabbed Evan's hand.
Robert's voice shook.
"And if I go to the police?"
May you like
Martin answered calmly.
"Then I take care of you too."
