Chapter 3 - THE HAMMER
The hammer belonged to Michael.
Standard garage tool.
His blood was on the head.
But forensic examination suggested blood transfer rather than the hammer necessarily causing all injuries.
There were differences in wound shape.
The paperweight better matched at least one of the impact injuries.
Could both have been used?
Possible.
Could Michael have grabbed the hammer defensively?
Possible.
Investigators reconstructed the scene.
A tool drawer had been open.
Michael’s fingerprints were on the hammer handle.
Vanessa’s were not identified there.
One plausible sequence:
Michael grabbed the hammer after being struck or while defending himself.
Then lost it.
That would explain why it was near him.
Still theory.
Then Michael woke.
He could not remember the full attack.
Brain injury does that.
He remembered Vanessa arriving.
Remembered arguing.
Remembered her asking about “the papers.”
Then:
Nothing.
“What papers?” Daniel asked later.
Michael closed his eyes.
“Custody.”
Of course.
Divorce.
Custody.
But the case was about to become more complicated than parental conflict.
Michael and Vanessa’s divorce had been brutal financially.
Not because either was extremely wealthy.
Because they owned a business together.
Bennett Equine Foundation.
Despite the name, it was not a charity.
It was a therapeutic-riding and equestrian training facility Michael inherited partly from their father and expanded with Vanessa.
The bronze horse symbol appeared everywhere.
Branding.
Paperweights.
Leather bags.
Stationery.
That explained the object.
May you like
And the documents Michael mentioned?
A forensic accounting report connected to the business.
