Chapter 7 - Martin’s BargainMartin called two hours later.
Not Ethan.
Not Rebecca.
Arthur.
The butler answered on speakerphone with police listening.
Martin sounded out of breath.
“Do you have the key?”
“Yes.”
“Then you know I didn’t take everything.”
Arthur asked:
“Where are you?”
“Safe.”
Officer Brooks wrote something on a pad.
KEEP HIM TALKING.
Arthur said:
“Mrs. Vance says you helped her remove the recorder.”
Martin laughed.
“Of course she does.”
“Did you?”
“Yes.”
Ethan clenched his fists.
Martin continued.
“She said the terrace footage would destroy the family.”
“It almost destroyed Sarah.”
“I wasn’t there for the shove.”
“But you removed evidence after.”
Silence.
Then:
“Yes.”
That mattered.
Martin sounded tired.
“You think Eleanor is protecting money. She’s protecting prison.”
Rebecca leaned forward.
“What does that mean?”
Martin heard her.
“Rebecca Sloan?”
“Yes.”
“Open the 2004 Harbor East redevelopment file.”
Rebecca frowned.
“That project predates my work.”
“Find it.”
Martin continued.
“Caroline found fake contractor invoices. Millions. She confronted Eleanor.”
Arthur went pale.
Martin said:
“Then Caroline disappeared.”
Ethan’s voice cut in.
“My aunt left voluntarily.”
A pause.
Martin replied:
“That’s the story.”
Arthur slammed a hand onto the table.
“No.”
Everyone looked at him.
He had never raised his voice.
Martin said:
“You don’t know everything, Arthur.”
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying Caroline didn’t leave because she wanted privacy.”
Arthur’s face drained.
Officer Brooks leaned closer.
“Martin, where are you?”
He ignored her.
“The brass key opens the second compartment in Charles’s study desk.”
Arthur frowned.
“There is no second compartment.”
“There is.”
Martin’s breathing became louder.
“In it is Caroline’s statement.”
Ethan whispered:
“Statement about what?”
Then a sound came through the phone.
A car door.
Martin swore.
“They found me.”
“Who?”
The line crackled.
Martin said one word.
May you like
“Eleanor.”
Then the call died.
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