Chapter 8 - The Phone in the Safe
The phone was still in the bridal suite safe.
Claire’s lawyer objected to anyone opening it without police present.
Police were present.
Inside the safe:
Margaret’s phone.
A folder of printed foundation records.
Two flash drives.
And a handwritten note.
CALL WADE SUNDAY 10 A.M. ONLY IF SHE COOPERATES.
Daniel read it twice.
“What does cooperate mean?”
Claire said nothing.
“She wanted me to sign a statement.”
Everyone turned.
“What statement?”
Claire had brought it to the cottage in an envelope.
Margaret was supposed to sign that she had mistakenly approved the Brightwell transfers and that stress had caused her to forget.
In exchange, Claire promised to return her phone and bring her to the wedding late.
Daniel felt physically sick.
“You blackmailed my mother with my wedding.”
Claire’s eyes filled.
“I was trying to protect everyone.”
Margaret looked at her.
“No. You were trying to make me carry your crime.”
The room went quiet.
Daniel asked:
“Did you sign it?”
Margaret shook her head.
“That’s why I walked.”
She waited until Wade drove away.
Then used a fireplace poker to force open a back window because the front door had jammed.
She walked down a dirt access road in rain.
Slipped into a drainage ditch.
A woman named Tina Mercer found her near Route 9.
Tina offered a hospital.
Margaret said:
“Take me to my son’s wedding.”
Daniel closed his eyes.
Then the detective opened one of the flash drives.
It contained spreadsheets.
Brightwell payments.
North Coast transfers.
And a file called PLAN B.
Emma leaned closer.
The document outlined what to do if Margaret refused to sign.
Step one:
Report concerns about Margaret’s memory.
Step two:
Ask board to suspend her as treasurer.
Step three:
Replace her with Claire temporarily.
Daniel read the next line.
Step four:
Control internal review.
He looked at Claire.
“You weren’t just trying to keep Mom out of the wedding.”
May you like
Robert finished the thought.
“She was trying to take your mother’s seat on the board.”
