Chapter 14 - The Door They Couldn't Open
Adrian and Brooks arrived twenty minutes later. The transport workers showed Brooks their paperwork.
"We were told the family approved it," one driver said. "We had no reason to think it was a setup."
"You did the right thing when the nurse challenged it," Brooks replied.
Naomi reached Evelyn's room just as a security officer removed a visitor badge that had been issued under the name of a nonexistent care coordinator.
"That's three documents with my signature," Naomi said. "They're using me like a rubber stamp."
"They're trying to create a version of events where you authorized everything," Brooks said. "A version that falls apart if we keep the originals."
Inside, Evelyn was furious.
"I told them I'm staying," she said. "I'm old, not luggage."
Naomi almost smiled.
"You don't have to go anywhere, Mrs. Vale."
Evelyn reached for her hand.
"Celeste thought I couldn't remember what she said after I woke up."
"What did she say?"
"That once the money moved, Adrian would be blamed. She said he'd signed enough things over the years without reading them."
Adrian stood in the doorway. Evelyn saw him and lifted her chin.
"I don't enjoy being right about her," she told him.
"You shouldn't have had to be," he answered.
Brooks recorded Evelyn's statement with counsel present. When the interview ended, she received a call from an investigator tracing the receiving account.
"The $8.6 million didn't go to an ordinary advisory firm," she told them. "Alder Bridge is controlled through a series of companies linked to Martin Cross."
"And Celeste?" Adrian asked.
"We're following that connection."
Brooks looked down at the fresh report on her phone.
"There's also a flight reservation. Two passengers. Friday night."
May you like
She turned the screen toward Adrian.
Celeste's name was first. Martin Cross was second.
