Chapter 5 - AMELIA'S LETTER
Dante did not open the envelope until Detective Kim had seen it first.
"Where did this come from?" she asked Maria.
"Mrs. Mercer gave me a box of old papers to throw away three months ago. This was inside. I kept it because of the name."
The name on the back was Amelia Mercer.
Lily's mother.
Grant's first wife.
Dead for two years.
Rachel photographed the envelope before allowing Dante to open it because Maria insisted the letter was addressed to him.
Dante unfolded one page.
Dante,
If you're reading this, then something has gone wrong and somebody finally stopped pretending not to see it.
He stopped breathing for a second.
He had known Amelia.
Not well, but enough. She had volunteered for years with a literacy charity Dante supported. She was funny, stubborn, and relentlessly protective of children. At her funeral, Grant had cried so hard he could barely stand.
The letter continued.
I don't trust the people circling Grant's money. I especially don't trust anyone who sees Lily as an obstacle or an asset. My father created a trust for her. It becomes untouchable if Grant loses custody for abuse, neglect, fraud, or coercion. In that case, control passes to an independent trustee.
Dante looked up.
"That's the clause."
He kept reading.
If someone tries to force Lily into a diagnosis, a guardianship, or any arrangement that makes her legally 'incapable,' look at the foundation accounts. My father used to say people reveal their worst selves when money needs a signature.
Rebecca Sloan.
Dante looked at Maria. "Why wasn't Rebecca at the party?"
Maria's face tightened.
"Because Grant told everyone she was unstable."
Grant overheard from across the room.
"She is unstable."
Dante folded the letter.
"Funny. Your dead wife didn't think so."
Grant started toward him, but Nathan stopped him.
Detective Kim asked for Rebecca's number.
Rachel called.
Rachel identified herself.
There was a long silence.
Then a woman whispered, "Is Lily alive?"
Rachel said, "Yes. Why would you ask me that?"
May you like
The woman on the phone started crying.
"Because Vivian told me she wouldn't be for long."
