Chapter 7 - Emma's Box
Daniel and Rachel reached Hartwell's downtown office before noon.
Elaine led them into a records room with no windows. A gray steel box sat on the table.
"Emma created this six weeks before she died," Elaine said.
Daniel's chest tightened.
There were two locks.
His key worked in the first.
The second remained shut.
Rachel examined the box. "Can we get a court order?"
"Maybe," Elaine said. "But not before Friday."
Daniel called Margaret.
"Bring me the key."
She laughed softly. "You finally found Emma's little insurance policy."
"You knew."
"Of course I knew. Emma was always suspicious."
"Why did she make you the second keyholder?"
"Because she thought I loved Lily."
Daniel said nothing.
Margaret lowered her voice. "Come home alone. We can fix this. Withdraw the police report. Tell CPS Vanessa overreacted and Lily fell. I will withdraw the guardianship petition."
"And the Hartwell vote?"
Silence.
"So that's what this is."
"This is about protecting a company from a sentimental child."
"My daughter is two."
"Exactly. Eleven million dollars is being controlled by a toddler and a grieving man."
Daniel's jaw locked.
"You watched them hurt her for shares."
"I watched Vanessa teach her boundaries. Don't dramatize it."
Daniel put the call on speaker so Rachel could hear every word.
Margaret continued, unaware.
"You have until tonight. After that, the court will see the video of what you did at dinner."
Daniel looked at Rachel.
"What video?"
Margaret chuckled.
"The cameras weren't off every day."
The call ended.
Five minutes later, Rachel's email chimed.
A video attachment had arrived from an anonymous address.
May you like
The thumbnail showed Daniel standing over Vanessa with the skillet in his hand.
But Lily had been edited out of the frame.
