Chapter 5 - What Rachel Was About to Expose
Daniel did not let Margaret leave.
He didn’t touch her.
He simply told the remaining party guests the celebration was over and asked Claire to keep Emma upstairs.
Then he called the family attorney.
Margaret laughed bitterly.
“You’re calling lawyers because your dead wife made recordings?”
“No.”
Daniel placed the bank transfer on the desk.
“I’m calling because three million dollars left my company through a business nobody can explain.”
That shut her up.
The attorney, Samantha Price, arrived an hour later.
She listened to the recording.
Reviewed the transfer.
Then asked Margaret a simple question.
“Who owns MRC Strategic Services?”
Margaret’s mouth tightened.
“I don’t remember.”
Samantha looked at her.
“A company received millions of dollars under your authorization.”
“I approved hundreds of vendors.”
“Not personally.”
Margaret said nothing.
Samantha asked Daniel for permission to conduct an independent forensic review.
He agreed immediately.
Margaret objected.
“You cannot freeze operations because Rachel became paranoid.”
Samantha turned toward her.
“Mrs. Reed, if the transactions are legitimate, a review protects you.”
Margaret had no answer.
While Samantha photographed the hidden compartment, Daniel examined Rachel’s envelope again.
One piece of paper had stuck behind the transfer record.
A handwritten list.
Dates.
Amounts.
Initials.
And three words circled twice:
CEDAR RIDGE HOUSE.
Daniel knew the property.
His family had owned an isolated lake house two hours away since he was a teenager.
Nobody used it anymore.
After his father died, Margaret claimed the place had been sold.
Daniel looked at her.
“When did we sell Cedar Ridge?”
“Years ago.”
“To whom?”
“I don’t remember.”
“Everything seems difficult to remember today.”
Her composure cracked.
“Enough.”
Daniel went still.
Margaret’s voice rose.
“I buried my husband. I held this company together. I kept you functioning after Rachel died. And now you stand there judging me because she left behind some hysterical notes?”
Daniel stared at her.
“My wife wasn’t hysterical.”
Margaret laughed once.
Cold.
“She was going to take Emma and leave you.”
The words hit him.
“What?”
Margaret saw the effect and pressed harder.
“She had already talked to an attorney.”
Daniel felt the room tilt.
It sounded impossible.
Rachel had never said she wanted a divorce.
Then Samantha asked:
“Which attorney?”
Margaret stopped.
Too late.
Daniel caught it.
“You knew she spoke to one.”
Margaret’s face changed.
Samantha leaned forward.
“Mrs. Reed, how did you know?”
Margaret picked up her purse.
“I’m done.”
Daniel stood in front of the door.
“Not until you answer.”
Margaret looked straight at him.
“Rachel was preparing to run.”
Then Daniel’s phone rang.
Ben.
He had traced MRC.
“Daniel…”
“What?”
“MRC isn’t owned by an outside consultant.”
A pause.
“It’s owned by your sister.”
May you like
Daniel turned toward the staircase.
Claire was upstairs with Emma.
