Chapter 11 - BEFORE THE WEDDING
Vivian had known Amelia long before she became Grant's wife. Four years earlier, she had entered the Mercer family as a financial adviser, not a girlfriend.
She had been a senior wealth strategist at Harrow & Pike, the firm that advised the Mercer family office. She helped Amelia organize charitable gifts, insurance policies, and trust reporting.
"He told everyone they met after Amelia died," Dante said.
Rebecca gave a humorless smile. "Technically true. He met her socially after Amelia died."
"But she already knew everything about the money."
"Everything."
Detective Kim called before sunset.
Nathan's phone had produced enough messages for a fraud case.
Messages between Nathan and Vivian discussing Dr. Vale, the guardianship petition, and the timing of a trust review.
One text from Vivian read:
Once Grant signs the medical authorization, we can build the record without him in the room.
Nathan replied:
He signs whatever is placed in the blue folder.
Then Rachel sent another message.
A photo.
It showed a text from Vivian to Nathan dated eighteen months before Amelia's death.
Need the vehicle schedule for Friday. A. changes drivers too often.
Rebecca stood so suddenly her chair scraped backward.
"Friday was the day Amelia died."
"Are you sure?"
"She drove herself because her driver called in sick."
Rachel was already requesting the old phone records.
Grant arrived at Rebecca's house twenty minutes later.
Rebecca refused to let him inside.
He stood on the porch in the rain.
"I need to see Lily."
"No."
"Rebecca, please."
"Where was that word when she was on the floor?"
Grant looked through the window and saw Lily coloring at the kitchen table.
She saw him too.
Then Lily slid off the chair.
She walked toward the door.
Dante opened the door just enough to speak.
"Go home."
Grant looked at him with red eyes.
"Home is where this started."
May you like
Then he held out a flash drive.
"And I found something there you need to see."
