Chapter 17 - WHAT ARTHUR BURIED
Police searched the greenhouse.
Not because Evelyn deserved trust.
Because people who manipulate still tell truths when truth hurts someone else.
Beneath the rear stone path, investigators found a waterproof case.
Inside were Arthur's private journals.
Not corporate records.
Personal ones.
Arthur admitted the kidnapping plan in brutal detail.
He also admitted something else.
He had considered returning Grant to Celeste when Grant was two.
Evelyn threatened to expose Arthur's bribery of city officials if he did.
So he stayed silent.
"She blackmailed him."
"Don't make him innocent."
"He had money. Lawyers. Power."
Her voice cracked.
"He had choices."
She was right.
Arthur chose reputation.
Evelyn chose control.
Creed chose money.
Victoria chose fear.
June chose obedience.
Grant had chosen loyalty to his mother over looking at his crying child.
Different scale.
Same habit.
That realization hurt more than the blood tests.
The journals also proved Evelyn had hidden seven million dollars in a private account under Maddie's name.
"Why?"
Nora traced the transactions.
The account was designed to make it appear Rachel had diverted family money into her child's trust.
A fraud setup.
If Evelyn needed to remove Rachel, she could accuse her of theft.
"She planned to destroy Rachel legally."
"Yes."
Then she found one outgoing transfer.
Two hundred thousand dollars.
Sent the morning of Maddie's birthday.
Recipient:
Dr. Simon Wells.
Rachel knew the name.
He was Maddie's pediatrician.
Her stomach dropped.
No answer.
His office was closed.
The nurse said he had left unexpectedly.
Police searched his records.
Wells had received messages from Evelyn asking for Maddie's medical files.
He sent them.
He also altered one note to describe Rachel as "agitated and paranoid."
Grant's hands clenched.
Rachel said, "Don't."
"Don't what?"
"Use anger as proof you've changed."
Grant released his hands.
That was new.
Then Nora found one final appointment in Wells's calendar.
Tomorrow.
Private consultation.
Client initials:
E.B.
Location:
St. Anne's Behavioral Center.
Rachel went cold.
"Why would Evelyn meet a pediatrician at a psychiatric facility?"
May you like
"Emergency maternal fitness evaluation."
Rachel whispered, "She was going to have me committed."
