The storage unit seemed colder after Margaret said Malcolm's name.<\/p>\n
Nobody moved.<\/p>\n
The recording continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don't know whether Malcolm understands how serious this is,\u201d Margaret said. \u201cHe believes everything can be fixed with paperwork.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her breathing was uneven.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe thinks people are numbers.\u201d<\/p>\n
I looked at Mr. Hale.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou knew.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI suspected.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou knew Malcolm was involved.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew he was advising Carol.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat isn't what she said.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Hale did not answer.<\/p>\n
Margaret's voice returned.<\/p>\n
\u201cCarol has told me Malcolm wants control of the house.\u201d<\/p>\n
A pause.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe says your husband is too emotional to manage money.\u201d<\/p>\n
My hands tightened.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe says Daniel is too young.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then came a sentence I would remember for the rest of my life.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe says grief makes people easy to manipulate.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel looked at me.<\/p>\n
I could not speak.<\/p>\n
Margaret continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cCarol believes Malcolm is protecting her.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her voice softened.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe isn't.\u201d<\/p>\n
The recording stopped.<\/p>\n
The investigator played the second.<\/p>\n
Margaret sounded stronger.<\/p>\n
\u201cCarol, if you are hearing this, listen to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
A chair creaked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know you are afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carol's voice came through faintly.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat am I supposed to do?\u201d<\/p>\n
Margaret answered.<\/p>\n
\u201cTell the truth.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carol began crying.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don't understand.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI understand more than you think.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe has documents.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen bring them to Edward.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI can't.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou can.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe'll destroy me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Margaret sighed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen you're already destroying yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
The recording ended.<\/p>\n
Daniel looked toward me.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe knew.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe knew Carol was afraid.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe knew Malcolm had something over her.\u201d<\/p>\n
The third recording began.<\/p>\n
This one was made in the hospital.<\/p>\n
Margaret sounded exhausted.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf I die before this is settled, the trust must remain untouched.\u201d<\/p>\n
She said the words slowly.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo sale. No transfer. No early distribution.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Hale looked at the original document.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe knew.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe knew everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
He shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe knew enough.\u201d<\/p>\n
The recording continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cYour father must not be told about the danger until I know whether Malcolm is involved.\u201d<\/p>\n
I felt my stomach twist.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
Margaret answered herself.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause if Malcolm knows your father is aware, he will panic.\u201d<\/p>\n
The word mattered.<\/p>\n
Panic.<\/p>\n
She was not only afraid of theft.<\/p>\n
She was afraid of what Malcolm might do when cornered.<\/p>\n
The third recording ended.<\/p>\n
The fourth began.<\/p>\n
This time Margaret was speaking to Carol alone.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am giving you the box.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carol asked, \u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause I want to believe you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI won't fail you.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI hope not.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat if I do?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen the box will find Daniel without you.\u201d<\/p>\n
Carol laughed weakly.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou've thought of everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
Margaret's voice softened.<\/p>\n
\u201cI've thought of what I can control.\u201d<\/p>\n
The recording stopped.<\/p>\n
Daniel looked at the box.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe really believed Carol could change.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
The fifth recording began.<\/p>\n
There was no conversation.<\/p>\n
Only Margaret.<\/p>\n
Her voice was barely above a whisper.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you have reached this recording, then I am gone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel covered his face.<\/p>\n
Margaret continued.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don't know what happened after I left the hospital.\u201d<\/p>\n
She breathed in.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I know this.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMoney can be replaced.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTrust is harder.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDo not spend your life trying to recover every dollar if doing so destroys the people you love.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel lowered his hands.<\/p>\n
Margaret's voice softened further.<\/p>\n
\u201cRecover the truth first.\u201d<\/p>\n
The recording ended.<\/p>\n
Nobody spoke.<\/p>\n
The investigator closed the laptop.<\/p>\n
Mr. Hale sat down.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe knew.\u201d<\/p>\n
I looked at him.<\/p>\n
\u201cStop saying that.\u201d<\/p>\n
He looked up.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe knew she was dying. She knew the trust might be attacked. She knew Carol was vulnerable. She knew Malcolm was dangerous.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut she didn't know exactly what would happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThen stop making it sound as though she planned everything.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI am not.\u201d<\/p>\n
I looked at Daniel.<\/p>\n
He was holding the replica box.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happens now?\u201d<\/p>\n
The investigator answered.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to find Carol.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBefore Malcolm?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause the financial records indicate Malcolm withdrew more than Carol.\u201d<\/p>\n
I stared.<\/p>\n
\u201cHow much?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cApproximately two hundred thousand.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel looked at the ledger.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen Carol wasn't the main thief.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe was part of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cBut Malcolm took more.\u201d<\/p>\n
The investigator nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat changes the case.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Hale leaned forward.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere did the money go?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShell property companies.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cCedar and Rose?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho owns those companies?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat's what we're tracing.\u201d<\/p>\n
I looked at the ledger.<\/p>\n
The initials CP and MP.<\/p>\n
Carol and Malcolm.<\/p>\n
Then I noticed another set.<\/p>\n
A.<\/p>\n
I pointed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat is that?\u201d<\/p>\n
The investigator looked.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat's new.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho is A?\u201d<\/p>\n
He turned the page.<\/p>\n
The initials appeared beside three transfers.<\/p>\n
All dated after Margaret's death.<\/p>\n
Mr. Hale stared.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know that name.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cArthur Bennett.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel frowned.<\/p>\n
\u201cCarol's brother?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere is he?\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Hale shook his head.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don't know.\u201d<\/p>\n
The investigator wrote it down.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat's important.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel looked at me.<\/p>\n
\u201cCarol had a brother?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYou knew?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI met him once.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAfter Margaret died.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat did he do?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHe helped Carol clear out some things from the house.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel's expression changed.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe photographs.\u201d<\/p>\n
I remembered.<\/p>\n
Arthur had been the one who packed boxes.<\/p>\n
He had carried Margaret's clothes to the garage.<\/p>\n
He had removed old furniture.<\/p>\n
I had thought he was helping.<\/p>\n
Now I wondered what else he had carried away.<\/p>\n
The investigator asked for his description.<\/p>\n
I gave what I remembered.<\/p>\n
Tall.<\/p>\n
Gray hair.<\/p>\n
A scar near his left eyebrow.<\/p>\n
Quiet.<\/p>\n
Always wearing a dark watch.<\/p>\n
The investigator checked a database.<\/p>\n
Then his expression changed.<\/p>\n
\u201cArthur Bennett died six years ago.\u201d<\/p>\n
I stared.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cHeart attack.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel looked at the ledger.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen why are there transfers under his initials?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is exactly what we need to determine.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr. Hale looked uneasy.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere may be another person.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cArthur's son.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel frowned.<\/p>\n
\u201cHis nephew?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat's his name?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cEvan.\u201d<\/p>\n
The investigator searched again.<\/p>\n
Evan Bennett.<\/p>\n
Former employee of Cedar and Rose.<\/p>\n
Former bank clerk.<\/p>\n
Former assistant to Malcolm Price.<\/p>\n
Daniel's face went pale.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe worked at the bank.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cDuring the time the trust was terminated?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
Emily stepped closer.<\/p>\n
\u201cThen he could have processed the documents.\u201d<\/p>\n
The investigator nodded.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe could have.\u201d<\/p>\n
I looked at Mr. Hale.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhy didn't you know?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI did not know he worked there.\u201d<\/p>\n
The investigator received a call.<\/p>\n
He answered.<\/p>\n
Then looked at us.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe found Carol.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cShe's at a motel.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAlone?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMalcolm?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n
He hesitated.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is with Evan Bennett.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel stared.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe bank clerk.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cYes.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat about Malcolm?\u201d<\/p>\n
The investigator's face hardened.<\/p>\n
\u201cMalcolm is missing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Then his phone rang again.<\/p>\n
This time he listened for less than ten seconds.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhere?\u201d<\/p>\n
He wrote down an address.<\/p>\n
\u201cMalcolm's office.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThey found blood.\u201d<\/p>\n
The room went silent.<\/p>\n
The investigator looked at me.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to go.\u201d<\/p>\n
Daniel stood.<\/p>\n
Emily grabbed his hand.<\/p>\n
Mr. Hale closed the evidence box.<\/p>\n
And I realized Margaret's warning had never been about money alone.<\/p>\n
It had always been about what desperate people do when the truth begins closing in.<\/p>\n
The storage unit seemed colder after Margaret said Malcolm's name. Nobody moved. The recording continued. \u201cI don't know whether Malcolm understands how serious this is,\u201d Margaret said. \u201cHe believes everything … <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7924,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7935","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-insightdrama"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7935","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=7935"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7935\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7955,"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7935\/revisions\/7955"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/7924"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=7935"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=7935"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/insightdrama.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=7935"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}