Chapter 3 - The Locked Drawer
Claire did not go quietly.
She asked for a lawyer, refused to answer questions, and was eventually told she was not under arrest—yet.
By then Eleanor had been taken to Saint Vincent Medical Center in critical condition.
Daniel rode in the ambulance.
Claire stayed behind.
The moment the police left, she went to the study.
Rosa locked the door behind them.
“You have five minutes,” Rosa said. “Daniel has cameras in parts of the house. Not this room. Mrs. Whitmore made sure of that.”
Claire crossed to Eleanor’s antique writing desk and found the bottom drawer.
The brass key fit.
Inside was a black leather folder, a flash drive, and a sealed envelope with Claire’s name on it.
Her hands shook as she opened the envelope.
Claire,
If you are reading this, Daniel has moved sooner than I hoped.
Do not trust the police report. Do not trust the family attorney. And under no circumstances sign anything Daniel gives you.
Claire looked up. “She knew.”
Rosa nodded. “She suspected.”
“Suspected what?”
Rosa pointed at the folder.
Inside were bank statements.
Millions of dollars had been transferred from Whitmore Holdings into a network of shell companies.
The signatures belonged to Daniel.
Claire felt dizzy.
“That’s why Eleanor changed the trust.”
“Partly,” Rosa said.
“What do you mean, partly?”
Before Rosa could answer, someone rattled the study doorknob.
“Claire?”
Daniel.
Rosa’s face drained.
Claire shoved the folder and flash drive into the inside pocket of her coat.
Daniel knocked again.
“I know you’re in there.”
Claire opened the door two inches.
Daniel stood in the hall without his tie. His face looked exhausted. Almost human.
“How is she?” Claire asked.
“Alive.”
Claire swallowed.
Daniel’s eyes moved past her into the room.
“What are you doing in Mom’s study?”
“Waiting for news.”
He smiled faintly.
“Funny place to wait.”
Claire stepped into the hallway and closed the door behind her.
Daniel touched her arm.
She recoiled.
His face hardened for half a second.
“Police found poison in your purse.”
“You put it there.”
“No one will believe that.”
“Rosa—”
Claire stopped herself.
Daniel’s eyes sharpened.
“Rosa what?”
“Nothing.”
He leaned closer. “You should come to the hospital and act like a wife who is worried about her mother-in-law.”
“I am worried about her.”
“Then stop making this difficult.”
Claire stared at the man she had slept beside for nine years and saw, maybe for the first time, how completely she had misunderstood him.
Her phone buzzed.
A text from an unknown number.
DON’T GO TO THE HOSPITAL.
THEY’RE WAITING TO ARREST YOU THERE.
May you like
Then a second message appeared.
AND DANIEL DIDN’T POISON ELEANOR ALONE.
