Chapter 14 - The Lawyer’s Company
Leonard stared at the registration form.
“That is not my company.”
Detective Kim slid the page toward him. “Your name, your bar number, your office address.”
“My information was used.”
Claire gave a bitter laugh. “Funny how everyone’s identity keeps getting stolen tonight.”
Leonard turned on her. “You asked me to file a fraudulent guardianship petition.”
“You drafted it.”
“Because you told me Ethan was becoming unstable and Sophie was at risk.”
“And you believed me.”
“I believed documents you provided.”
Ethan slammed his palm on the desk. “Enough.”
Detective Kim opened another file. “Northstar has hired domestic employees for six homes connected to Cole Meridian executives. In three of those homes, confidential financial documents later disappeared.”
Harold whispered, “Corporate espionage.”
“Possibly.”
Ethan looked at Mara’s empty place in the room and felt sick. “She was set up.”
Kim nodded. “We’re reviewing that now. The laptop tied to her appears to have been purchased with a prepaid card.”
Claire’s face remained controlled, but one finger tapped against her arm.
Ethan noticed.
Kim noticed too.
“Ms. Bennett,” the detective said, “where were you between 9:00 and 10:00 p.m. on the night Rachel Cole died?”
Claire’s eyes narrowed. “At home.”
“Alone?”
“Yes.”
“Anyone confirm that?”
“No.”
Kim nodded as if she expected the answer.
Ethan looked at Leonard. “How did Claire find you?”
“She didn’t. I was introduced to her.”
“By who?”
Leonard swallowed.
“Your mother.”
The room went silent.
Ethan actually laughed from disbelief. “My mother has been in Palm Beach for two years.”
Leonard shook his head. “She came to my office last spring. Before you met Claire publicly. She said Claire was a family friend and might need help with estate planning.”
Ethan’s phone buzzed.
MOM.
He stared at the screen.
His mother, Victoria Cole, rarely called after 9:00.
He answered on speaker.
“Mom?”
Her voice came through faintly.
“Ethan, listen to me carefully. Do not let Claire leave the house.”
Ethan’s eyes locked on Claire.
“Why?”
A pause.
May you like
Then his mother began to cry.
“Because I’m the one who brought her into your life.”
