Chapter 6: The Man I Thought## Chapter 6: The Man I Thought I Could Trust
I didn't I Could Trust
I didn't sleep that night.
The anonymous message remained on my phone.
** sleep that night.
The anonymous message remained on my phone.
*Don't trust Samuel Bennett.*
It was a strange accusation.
Samuel had been one of Michael's closest business associates. He had struggled financiallyDon't trust Samuel Bennett.**
It was a strange accusation.
Samuel had been one of Michael's closest business associates. He had struggled financially years earlier, and I had helped him rebuild his company.
He had repaid every dollar.
More importantly years earlier, and I had helped him rebuild his company.
He had repaid every dollar.
More importantly, he had never asked me for anything in return.
When Michael died, Samuel attended the funeral and stood beside me throughout the service.
, he had never asked me for anything in return.
When Michael died, Samuel attended the funeral and stood beside me throughout the service.
When Noah graduated from college, Samuel sent him a congratulatory gift.
And when I turned seventy-five, Samuel personallyWhen Noah graduated from college, Samuel sent him a congratulatory gift.
And when I turned seventy-five, Samuel personally delivered a birthday cake to my house.
Why would anyone suggest he was involved?
At seven the delivered a birthday cake to my house.
Why would anyone suggest he was involved?
At seven the next morning, I called Rebecca.
"Someone wants me to meet them at the old Carter office.""
"Who?""
"I don't next morning, I called Rebecca.
"Someone wants me to meet them at the old Carter office.""
"Who?""
"I don't know.""
"Did they identify themselves?""
"No.""
She sighed.
"Grace, please don't go alone.""
"The message specifically says not to bring anyone know.""
"Did they identify themselves?""
"No.""
She sighed.
"Grace, please don't go alone.""
"The message specifically says not to bring anyone.""
"That's precisely why you shouldn't trust it.""
I looked toward the window.
The morning was gray, and rain tapped.""
"That's precisely why you shouldn't trust it.""
I looked toward the window.
The morning was gray, and rain tapped against the glass.
"Rebecca, if this person knows something about Margaret, I need to hear it.""
"Then we'll arrange security. You won't have to see them against the glass.
"Rebecca, if this person knows something about Margaret, I need to hear it.""
"Then we'll arrange security. You won't have to see them until we've verified the location.""
I agreed.
At nine thirty, Samuel arrived.
He carried two coffees and a small paper bag containing breakfast until we've verified the location.""
I agreed.
At nine thirty, Samuel arrived.
He carried two coffees and a small paper bag containing breakfast.
"How's the wrist?""
"Still attached.""
He smiled.
"That's encouraging.""
I hesitated.
Then.
"How's the wrist?""
"Still attached.""
He smiled.
"That's encouraging.""
I hesitated.
Then I showed him the message.
His expression changed immediately.
"Don't go.""
"Do you know why someone would send this?""
"No.""
"Are you sure?""
He placed the coffee on the table.
"Grace, I've known I showed him the message.
His expression changed immediately.
"Don't go.""
"Do you know why someone would send this?""
"No.""
"Are you sure?""
He placed the coffee on the table.
"Grace, I've known you for more than twenty years. If someone has evidence against me, they should bring it to Rebecca.""
I studied his face.
He seemed genuinely you for more than twenty years. If someone has evidence against me, they should bring it to Rebecca.""
I studied his face.
He seemed genuinely offended.
But something about the conversation bothered me.
Not his expression.
His answer.
He hadn't asked what the person knew about Margaret.
He had only told me offended.
But something about the conversation bothered me.
Not his expression.
His answer.
He hadn't asked what the person knew about Margaret.
He had only told me not to go.
I pushed the thought aside.
At eleven, Rebecca's security consultant confirmed that the old Carter office was accessible and that the building not to go.
I pushed the thought aside.
At eleven, Rebecca's security consultant confirmed that the old Carter office was accessible and that the building's surveillance system was functioning.
Two security officers would remain nearby.
Rebecca would accompany me.
Samuel offered to drive us's surveillance system was functioning.
Two security officers would remain nearby.
Rebecca would accompany me.
Samuel offered to drive us.
I declined.
"I'll take my own car.""
He nodded.
"All right. Call me when you arrive.""
The old.
I declined.
"I'll take my own car.""
He nodded.
"All right. Call me when you arrive.""
The old office stood in a brick building near Charleston's historic business district.
Michael had worked there for nearly twenty years.
After his death, I office stood in a brick building near Charleston's historic business district.
Michael had worked there for nearly twenty years.
After his death, I kept the office for several years before moving the company's headquarters.
The building was now used for document storage and occasional private meetings kept the office for several years before moving the company's headquarters.
The building was now used for document storage and occasional private meetings.
When I arrived, Rebecca was already waiting.
The security officers stood near the entrance.
We entered together.
The hallway smelled of dust and old paper.
I.
When I arrived, Rebecca was already waiting.
The security officers stood near the entrance.
We entered together.
The hallway smelled of dust and old paper.
I recognized the framed photographs.
Michael shaking hands with employees.
Michael standing beside the original Carter Grand development plans.
Michael holding Noah as a baby.
I stopped in front of that last recognized the framed photographs.
Michael shaking hands with employees.
Michael standing beside the original Carter Grand development plans.
Michael holding Noah as a baby.
I stopped in front of that last photograph.
For a moment, the years disappeared.
Then a door opened at the end of the hallway.
A woman stepped out photograph.
For a moment, the years disappeared.
Then a door opened at the end of the hallway.
A woman stepped out.
Margaret Ellis.
She looked older, thinner, and frightened.
Her hair was pulled into a loose bun.
.
Margaret Ellis.
She looked older, thinner, and frightened.
Her hair was pulled into a loose bun.
She wore a dark blue coat and held a thick envelope against her chest.
"Grace.""
I stared at her.
"MargaretShe wore a dark blue coat and held a thick envelope against her chest.
"Grace.""
I stared at her.
"Margaret.""
She looked toward Rebecca.
"I thought you were coming alone.""
"That wasn't going to happen.""
Margaret swallowed.
"I understand.""
She looked toward Rebecca.
"I thought you were coming alone.""
"That wasn't going to happen.""
Margaret swallowed.
"I understand.""
I stepped closer.
"Why did you disappear?""
She looked down.
"I was fired.""
"You resigned.""
"That's what the company announced.""
I frowned.
"Who fired.""
I stepped closer.
"Why did you disappear?""
She looked down.
"I was fired.""
"You resigned.""
"That's what the company announced.""
I frowned.
"Who fired you?""
Margaret looked toward the closed office door.
"Richard Whitmore.""
My stomach tightened.
"How?""
"He approached me through an intermediary. He offered me you?""
Margaret looked toward the closed office door.
"Richard Whitmore.""
My stomach tightened.
"How?""
"He approached me through an intermediary. He offered me money to provide copies of your financial records.""
Rebecca immediately opened her notebook.
"How much?""
"One money to provide copies of your financial records.""
Rebecca immediately opened her notebook.
"How much?""
"One hundred and fifty thousand dollars.""
"And you accepted?""
Margaret began crying.
"I needed the money. My husband had been diagnosed with cancer. We were hundred and fifty thousand dollars.""
"And you accepted?""
Margaret began crying.
"I needed the money. My husband had been diagnosed with cancer. We were drowning in medical bills.""
I felt something twist inside my chest.
"Margaret, you could have come to drowning in medical bills.""
I felt something twist inside my chest.
"Margaret, you could have come to me.""
"I was ashamed.""
"How much did you give them?""
"Everything they requested.""
I stared at her.
"Everything?""
"Your signature samples. Copies of the trust documents. Property valuations. me.""
"I was ashamed.""
"How much did you give them?""
"Everything they requested.""
I stared at her.
"Everything?""
"Your signature samples. Copies of the trust documents. Property valuations. Medical records.""
I gripped the railing.
"Medical records?""
She nodded.
"Old records. Your routine Medical records.""
I gripped the railing.
"Medical records?""
She nodded.
"Old records. Your routine checkups. A report from a doctor who had examined you years ago.""
Rebecca stepped forward.
"Did you provide checkups. A report from a doctor who had examined you years ago.""
Rebecca stepped forward.
"Did you provide any document diagnosing dementia?""
"No. I never saw such a document.""
"Then how did the Whitmores obtain one?""
Margaret opened the envelope.
Inside were photocopies of emails, any document diagnosing dementia?""
"No. I never saw such a document.""
"Then how did the Whitmores obtain one?""
Margaret opened the envelope.
Inside were photocopies of emails, bank transfers, and handwritten notes.
"I kept copies because I knew they might come after me if things went wrong.""
She bank transfers, and handwritten notes.
"I kept copies because I knew they might come after me if things went wrong.""
She handed them to Rebecca.
The first document showed a payment of $50,000 from a company connected to Richard Whitmore.
The second showed another payment.
The third was an email.
**Richard: We need the signature samples handed them to Rebecca.
The first document showed a payment of $50,000 from a company connected to Richard Whitmore.
The second showed another payment.
The third was an email.
*Richard: We need the signature samples before the wedding. Once the marriage takes place, Noah will be easier to manage.*
I felt sick before the wedding. Once the marriage takes place, Noah will be easier to manage.**
I felt sick.
Margaret continued.
"Richard told me the family only wanted to make an investment offer. He said you had become tired of managing the property and.
Margaret continued.
"Richard told me the family only wanted to make an investment offer. He said you had become tired of managing the property and wanted to retire.""
"Did you believe him?""
"At first.""
"Then?""
She wiped her eyes.
"Then I heard him speaking to Elaine.""
Rebecca leaned forward.
"What did they say?""
Margaret looked at wanted to retire.""
"Did you believe him?""
"At first.""
"Then?""
She wiped her eyes.
"Then I heard him speaking to Elaine.""
Rebecca leaned forward.
"What did they say?""
Margaret looked at me.
"They were discussing your medical history. Elaine said the wedding would provide the perfect opportunity to establish that me.
"They were discussing your medical history. Elaine said the wedding would provide the perfect opportunity to establish that you were becoming confused.""
I felt the room tilt.
"Establish it how?""
Margaret lowered her voice.
"By creating a you were becoming confused.""
I felt the room tilt.
"Establish it how?""
Margaret lowered her voice.
"By creating a public incident.""
Rebecca stopped writing.
"What incident?""
Margaret looked directly at me.
"The fall.""
public incident.""
Rebecca stopped writing.
"What incident?""
Margaret looked directly at me.
"The fall.""
For several seconds, nobody moved.
I could hear the rain against the windows.
"Explain," I said.
Margaret swallowed.
"Elaine wanted the photographer to capture you looking disorFor several seconds, nobody moved.
I could hear the rain against the windows.
"Explain," I said.
Margaret swallowed.
"Elaine wanted the photographer to capture you looking disoriented or unstable. She said if you became upset, Brittany could make it look like you were having an episode.""
Iiented or unstable. She said if you became upset, Brittany could make it look like you were having an episode.""
I stared at her.
"Are you saying they planned for me to fall?""
"I don't know whether they planned the physical injury. But they definitely planned stared at her.
"Are you saying they planned for me to fall?""
"I don't know whether they planned the physical injury. But they definitely planned to use the photographs.""
Rebecca's expression hardened.
"Do you have evidence?""
Margaret nodded.
She removed a small flash drive from her coat pocket.
"These are recordings from a meeting at the to use the photographs.""
Rebecca's expression hardened.
"Do you have evidence?""
Margaret nodded.
She removed a small flash drive from her coat pocket.
"These are recordings from a meeting at the Whitmore office. I made them after I realized what they were doing.""
Rebecca took the drive.
"Are the recordings complete?""
"Yes Whitmore office. I made them after I realized what they were doing.""
Rebecca took the drive.
"Are the recordings complete?""
"Yes.""
"Have you shared them with anyone?""
"No.""
I looked at Margaret.
"Why are you giving them to me now?""
She.""
"Have you shared them with anyone?""
"No.""
I looked at Margaret.
"Why are you giving them to me now?""
She began to cry harder.
"Because I saw the photograph from the wedding. I saw what Brittany did to you. And I realized I had helped them put you began to cry harder.
"Because I saw the photograph from the wedding. I saw what Brittany did to you. And I realized I had helped them put you in danger.""
I couldn't answer.
I was angry.
But I was also looking at a woman who had once sat beside me through Michael's final days in danger.""
I couldn't answer.
I was angry.
But I was also looking at a woman who had once sat beside me through Michael's final days.
A woman who had known Noah since he was a child.
"Margaret, I don't know whether I can forgive you.""
She nodded.
"I understand.""
"But I want the truth.
A woman who had known Noah since he was a child.
"Margaret, I don't know whether I can forgive you.""
She nodded.
"I understand.""
"But I want the truth.""
She handed Rebecca another envelope.
"This contains the name of the doctor who supplied the.""
She handed Rebecca another envelope.
"This contains the name of the doctor who supplied the false diagnosis.""
Rebecca opened it.
The name was Dr. Adrian Cole.
A physician I had never met.
The accompanying letter claimed he had examined me privately six weeks earlier and determined that I was experiencing progressive cognitive decline.
I looked at the date.
Six weeks earlier, I had been visiting my sister in North Carolina.
I had never met Dr. Cole.
Rebecca photographed the document.
"Did you arrange the appointment?""
Margaret shook her head.
"No. Richard's office handled everything.""
"Do you know where this doctor practices?""
She nodded.
"There's a private clinic outside Charleston.""
Rebecca wrote down the address.
Then Margaret said something else.
"There's one more thing.""
I turned.
"Go on.""
"Richard didn't choose the wedding date randomly.""
I frowned.
"What do you mean?""
"Three weeks before the wedding, he told Elaine that the Carter Grand transaction needed to be completed before the end of the month.""
"Why?""
"Because a foreign investment group had already agreed to purchase the property for a much higher amount. The Whitmores intended to acquire it from you for eighteen million and immediately resell it.""
Rebecca looked up.
"How much was the second offer?""
"Sixty-one million.""
I slowly sat down.
They weren't simply false diagnosis.""
Rebecca opened it.
The name was Dr. Adrian Cole.
A physician I had never met.
The accompanying letter claimed he had examined me privately six weeks earlier and determined that I was experiencing progressive cognitive decline.
I looked at the date.
Six weeks earlier, I had been visiting my sister in North Carolina.
I had never met Dr. Cole.
Rebecca photographed the document.
"Did you arrange the appointment?""
Margaret shook her head.
"No. Richard's office handled everything.""
"Do you know where this doctor practices?""
She nodded.
"There's a private clinic outside Charleston.""
Rebecca wrote down the address.
Then Margaret said something else.
"There's one more thing.""
I turned.
"Go on.""
"Richard didn't choose the wedding date randomly.""
I frowned.
"What do you mean?""
"Three weeks before the wedding, he told Elaine that the Carter Grand transaction needed to be completed before the end of the month.""
"Why?""
"Because a foreign investment group had already agreed to purchase the property for a much higher amount. The Whitmores intended to acquire it from you for eighteen million and immediately resell it.""
Rebecca looked up.
"How much was the second offer?""
"Sixty-one million.""
I slowly sat down.
They weren't simply trying to save money.
They were attempting to steal more than forty million dollars.
Rebecca looked at the documents.
"Who was the buyer?""
Margaret hesitated.
"I don't know. But trying to save money.
They were attempting to steal more than forty million dollars.
Rebecca looked at the documents.
"Who was the buyer?""
Margaret hesitated.
"I don't know. But I saw the name on a letter.""
She reached into the envelope and removed one final sheet.
The company was called Meridian Atlantic Partners.
I recognized it.
It had recently approached Carter Financial Holdings about a separate I saw the name on a letter.""
She reached into the envelope and removed one final sheet.
The company was called Meridian Atlantic Partners.
I recognized it.
It had recently approached Carter Financial Holdings about a separate development project.
But there was something else.
The letter contained a handwritten note from Richard.
**Once Grace is declared incapable, Noah's signature will complete the transfer. Brittany must keep him development project.
But there was something else.
The letter contained a handwritten note from Richard.
*Once Grace is declared incapable, Noah's signature will complete the transfer. Brittany must keep him cooperative until closing.*
I felt my throat tighten.
My son wasn't merely being used.
He was the final instrument cooperative until closing.**
I felt my throat tighten.
My son wasn't merely being used.
He was the final instrument in their plan.
Rebecca placed the documents into her briefcase.
"We have enough to request emergency legal in their plan.
Rebecca placed the documents into her briefcase.
"We have enough to request emergency legal protection and refer the suspected forgery for investigation.""
Margaret looked at me.
"Grace, there's something you should know about Samuel.""
I stiffened.
"What about him?""
She looked toward protection and refer the suspected forgery for investigation.""
Margaret looked at me.
"Grace, there's something you should know about Samuel.""
I stiffened.
"What about him?""
She looked toward the hallway.
"Richard paid him.""
My heart seemed to stop.
"What?""
"Not directly the hallway.
"Richard paid him.""
My heart seemed to stop.
"What?""
"Not directly. A company called Bennett Event Consulting received three payments from Whitmore Coastal Holdings.""
Rebecca immediately looked at me.
"Do you know that company?""
I shook my head.
Margaret continued.
"I saw. A company called Bennett Event Consulting received three payments from Whitmore Coastal Holdings.""
Rebecca immediately looked at me.
"Do you know that company?""
I shook my head.
Margaret continued.
"I saw the invoices. They were described as event production expenses, but the amounts were unusual.""
I remembered Samuel's the invoices. They were described as event production expenses, but the amounts were unusual.""
I remembered Samuel's involvement in the wedding.
His access to the ballroom.
His immediate appearance after my fall.
His knowledge of the photograph.
involvement in the wedding.
His access to the ballroom.
His immediate appearance after my fall.
His knowledge of the photograph.
And the anonymous message.
"How much money?"" Rebecca asked.
"Two hundred thousand dollars.""
The room became silent.
I stared at Margaret.
And the anonymous message.
"How much money?"" Rebecca asked.
"Two hundred thousand dollars.""
The room became silent.
I stared at Margaret.
"Do you have proof?""
She nodded.
"Bank records. Invoice copies. And an email from Richard.""
Rebecca took the documents.
"Thank you. This"Do you have proof?""
She nodded.
"Bank records. Invoice copies. And an email from Richard.""
Rebecca took the documents.
"Thank you. This is important.""
I stood slowly.
My wrist hurt.
My hip hurt.
But the pain inside my chest was worse.
I had trusted Samuel.
I had is important.""
I stood slowly.
My wrist hurt.
My hip hurt.
But the pain inside my chest was worse.
I had trusted Samuel.
I had helped him when his business was collapsing.
I had believed he would never betray me.
And now there was evidence suggesting he had accepted money from the same people trying to steal my company.
My phone rang.
helped him when his business was collapsing.
I had believed he would never betray me.
And now there was evidence suggesting he had accepted money from the same people trying to steal my company.
My phone rang.
Samuel.
I stared at his name.
Rebecca whispered, "Don't answer yet.""
But I did.
"Hello,Samuel.
I stared at his name.
Rebecca whispered, "Don't answer yet.""
But I did.
"Hello, Samuel.""
His voice sounded unusually cheerful.
"Grace. How did the meeting go?""
I looked at the documents in Rebecca Samuel.""
His voice sounded unusually cheerful.
"Grace. How did the meeting go?""
I looked at the documents in Rebecca's hands.
"Interesting.""
"Did you find Margaret?""
I froze.
I hadn't told him I was meeting Margaret.
Not once.
Not even Rebecca knew's hands.
"Interesting.""
"Did you find Margaret?""
I froze.
I hadn't told him I was meeting Margaret.
Not once.
Not even Rebecca knew the exact identity of the person who had sent the message until we arrived.
I looked at her.
She had gone completely still.
"How the exact identity of the person who had sent the message until we arrived.
I looked at her.
She had gone completely still.
"How did you know Margaret was involved?"" I asked.
A pause.
Then Samuel laughed softly.
"Grace, don't be ridiculous. I was only guessing did you know Margaret was involved?"" I asked.
A pause.
Then Samuel laughed softly.
"Grace, don't be ridiculous. I was only guessing.""
I looked through the glass wall toward the hallway.
One of the security officers was speaking into his radio.
"Samuel, where are you?""
"At my office.""
"Alone?""
Another pause.
"Of course.""
I closed my.""
I looked through the glass wall toward the hallway.
One of the security officers was speaking into his radio.
"Samuel, where are you?""
"At my office.""
"Alone?""
Another pause.
"Of course.""
I closed my eyes.
"Then perhaps you can explain something to me.""
"Anything.""
"Why did Whitmore Coastal Holdings pay your eyes.
"Then perhaps you can explain something to me.""
"Anything.""
"Why did Whitmore Coastal Holdings pay your company two hundred thousand dollars?""
The line went silent.
For nearly ten seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then Samuel's voice changed.
"Grace, listen carefully. You don't understand what you're getting involved in.""
I tightened company two hundred thousand dollars?""
The line went silent.
For nearly ten seconds, neither of us spoke.
Then Samuel's voice changed.
"Grace, listen carefully. You don't understand what you're getting involved in.""
I tightened my grip on the phone.
"Then explain it.""
He lowered his voice.
"I was trying to protect you.""
"By accepting two hundred thousand dollars?""
"That my grip on the phone.
"Then explain it.""
He lowered his voice.
"I was trying to protect you.""
"By accepting two hundred thousand dollars?""
"That money wasn't what you think.""
"Then what was it?""
His answer was almost a whisper.
"Insurance.""
I stared at the phone.
"Insurance against what?""
Samuel ex money wasn't what you think.""
"Then what was it?""
His answer was almost a whisper.
"Insurance.""
I stared at the phone.
"Insurance against what?""
Samuel exhaled.
Then he said something that made Rebecca reach for my arm.
"Against the day someone discovers who actually owns the Carter Grandhaled.
Then he said something that made Rebecca reach for my arm.
"Against the day someone discovers who actually owns the Carter Grand.""
And before I could ask him what he meant, the call ended.
A second later, Rebecca's phone.""
And before I could ask him what he meant, the call ended.
A second later, Rebecca's phone rang.
She answered, listened, and slowly looked at me.
"Grace, we have a problem.""
"What now?""
She swallowed.
"The board meeting has been moved to this afternoon.""
"By whom?""
"Samuel Bennett.""
rang.
She answered, listened, and slowly looked at me.
"Grace, we have a problem.""
"What now?""
She swallowed.
"The board meeting has been moved to this afternoon.""
"By whom?""
"Samuel Bennett.""
I stared at her.
Then she delivered the final blow.
"He has submitted an emergency motion to remove you as chairwoman of Carter Financial Holdings.""
I stared at her.
May you like
Then she delivered the final blow.
"He has submitted an emergency motion to remove you as chairwoman of Carter Financial Holdings.""
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