Chapter 4 - The Second Hand
Claire read the message twice.
Daniel noticed her face change. “Who is that?”
“Spam.”
“Let me see.”
“No.”
His hand shot out, but Claire stepped back.
For a second the hallway went still.
Then Rosa dropped a tray in the kitchen.
The crash broke the moment.
Claire turned and walked away.
Daniel followed. “We’re going to the hospital.”
“I’m calling my lawyer first.”
“You don’t need a lawyer if you didn’t do anything.”
Claire stopped. “Only guilty people say that to frightened spouses.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
She left through the side entrance, crossed the dark courtyard, and got into her car.
The unknown number texted again.
PARKING GARAGE. LEVEL 3. EAST SIDE. TEN MINUTES.
COME ALONE IF YOU WANT TO KNOW WHO HANDED DANIEL THE PACKET.
Claire should have called the police.
Instead, she drove.
At the garage, a man waited beside a gray pickup.
Claire recognized him immediately.
“Evan?”
Evan Price had worked as Eleanor’s private accountant until six months earlier, when Daniel told everyone he had been fired for stealing.
Evan looked terrified.
“You shouldn’t have come in your own car.”
“You texted me.”
“I didn’t know if you’d believe me.”
“Who gave Daniel the packet?”
Evan glanced around.
“The family attorney.”
Claire laughed once, without humor. “Martin Shaw?”
“Yes.”
“That makes no sense.”
“It will.”
Evan handed her a thin folder.
“Daniel’s been moving company money for almost two years. Martin covered the transfers. Eleanor found out.”
“I already saw the bank statements.”
Evan stared at her. “Then you found the study.”
Claire said nothing.
Evan continued. “The new trust strips Daniel of control if Eleanor dies under suspicious circumstances or if Daniel is under criminal investigation.”
Claire blinked. “So poisoning her would destroy his inheritance.”
“Unless someone else is blamed.”
Claire felt the logic click into place.
“Me.”
Evan nodded.
“Why me?”
“Because the amended trust gives temporary voting control to the surviving spouse of Eleanor’s only child if Daniel becomes legally disqualified.”
Claire went still.
“That means me.”
“Yes.”
“Then framing me doesn’t help him.”
Evan’s face tightened.
“Unless you’re convicted before Eleanor dies.”
A car engine started behind them.
Headlights came on.
Evan looked over Claire’s shoulder and went white.
May you like
“Run.”
The gray sedan accelerated straight toward them.
