Chapter 15 - Lillian March

Evelyn closed her eyes when Claire said the name.

"I hoped she wasn't involved."

They were back at the station, this time in a quiet family room.

"You have a daughter?"

"Yes."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"Because Lillian stopped being my daughter a long time ago."

Claire sat across from her.

"That doesn't explain anything."

Evelyn folded her hands.

"Lillian blamed Samuel for what happened to me. When I disappeared, she thought he had used me and abandoned me. Vale found her before I could."

"Found her how?"

"He paid her law-school debt. Gave her a job. Told her the Bennett family ruined us."

Nolan entered with a photograph.

Lillian March was forty, sharp-featured, dark-haired, elegant.

Claire recognized her instantly.

"She was at my party."

"Under what name?" Nolan asked.

"Lily Marsh. She was introduced as Vivian's event attorney."

Evelyn looked physically ill.

Nolan placed another document on the table.

"Lillian is listed as corporate counsel for Graystone."

Claire remembered a woman near the staircase during the confrontation. Not intervening. Not leaving. Watching.

"She saw everything."

"Likely."

"Where is she now?"

"We don't know."

Evelyn's phone vibrated.

She stared at the screen and went pale.

UNKNOWN NUMBER.

Nolan nodded for her to answer on speaker.

"Hello?"

Lillian's voice came through, low and controlled.

"Mom."

Evelyn covered her mouth.

"Lillian."

"I need you to listen carefully. Vale knows the archive is open. He knows Claire found the files."

Nolan signaled for a trace.

Claire leaned toward the phone.

"Where are you?"

Silence.

Then Lillian said, "Claire, I am sorry."

"That is not an address."

"I can give you Vale, but you have to move faster than the police."

Nolan mouthed, Keep her talking.

Claire said, "What does he want?"

"The original ledger my mother took."

Evelyn whispered, "He doesn't have it."

"He thinks you do."

"Where are you?"

Lillian's breath hitched.

"At the old Bennett River Terminal."

Claire knew the place - an abandoned industrial property waiting on redevelopment permits.

Then Lillian whispered, "And I'm not alone."

A man's voice sounded in the background.

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Richard Vale.

"Tell Claire to bring the ledger."