Chapter 12 - THE WOMAN IN THE VIDEO
Victor was arrested for attempted custodial interference, coercion, and fraud-related charges. Elena's lawyer got her released pending a hearing because she claimed she had believed the custody document was valid.
Arthur wanted to scream.
Daniel wanted him quiet.
"Courts punish evidence, not outrage," Daniel said. "Give me evidence."
Ben recovered the damaged end of Claire's video that night.
Arthur, Maria, Daniel, and Lucas watched together.
Claire reappeared through digital static.
"Graham isn't acting alone," she said. "A woman named Elena Marlow has attended two meetings with Victor Sloane about Vance shares. I don't know her role yet. Arthur, if she ever comes near you, please understand that it wasn't an accident."
Arthur stopped breathing.
Elena Marlow.
Elena's maiden name.
Lucas looked up at him. "She knew Mom?"
"No," Arthur said, though he no longer knew what was true.
Maria's face had gone pale. "I saw her once."
Arthur turned. "When?"
"At the hospital. The week before Claire died. She was in the hallway talking to Graham. I thought she was staff."
Arthur felt physically sick.
His marriage had not been a romance that went bad.
It had been an operation.
Ben opened another recovered file: audio from Claire's phone.
Graham's voice said, "If Arthur won't sell, we wait. Claire's shares pass to the boy. Eventually, someone close to Arthur can control access."
Victor answered, "I have someone in mind."
Then a woman's voice spoke.
Young. Cool. Unmistakable.
Elena.
"How close do you need me to get?"
Lucas began to cry.
Arthur reached for him.
But Maria was staring at the timestamp.
May you like
"Arthur," she whispered, "look at the date."
The recording was made two days before Claire's final medication was changed.
