Chapter 13 - The Confession in the Hospital
Adrian survived.
Doctors treated him for smoke inhalation and other injuries.
Police placed an officer outside his hospital room.
Morgan wasn't allowed to speak to him immediately.
Detectives wanted to question him first.
And for the first time since the necklace appeared, Morgan was willing to let the investigation proceed without trying to control every answer.
She had done enough running.
Enough hiding.
Enough trying to understand her husband's lies.
Now the truth was beginning to emerge.
The necklace examination had produced preliminary findings.
A detective named Laura Kim contacted Morgan the following afternoon.
Morgan took the call in Peter's office.
"Mrs. Bennett, we have reason to believe the pendant was deliberately altered."
Morgan closed her eyes.
"What was inside it?"
"We're awaiting additional laboratory confirmation before identifying the material publicly."
"Was it dangerous?"
"Potentially."
Morgan gripped the edge of the desk.
"Could it have hurt me?"
"Yes."
A terrible silence followed.
Detective Kim continued.
"The compartment appears to have been designed to expose the wearer to a concealed substance."
Morgan felt sick.
"So Julian really wanted me to wear it."
"That's one possibility we're investigating."
"Why would he want to make me sick?"
"We've also obtained copies of the guardianship documents."
Morgan stared.
"And?"
"We are examining evidence of forgery and attempted financial exploitation."
Morgan looked at Clara's photograph on Peter's desk.
Grandma had known.
She'd tried to protect her.
And Morgan had dismissed her concerns.
Detective Kim continued.
"We also have information concerning Rachel Mercer."
Morgan sat upright.
"What information?"
"Her death is being reviewed in light of new evidence."
"Does Evelyn know?"
"We've spoken with her."
Morgan hesitated.
"Is Christopher involved?"
"We're looking for him."
"What about Julian?"
"He's still missing."
Morgan closed her eyes.
Then Kim said, "There's something else."
Morgan waited.
"We recovered documents from Adrian Vale."
"At the cottage?"
"Yes."
"Did he tell you why he was there?"
"He claims he was meeting Julian."
Morgan's stomach tightened.
"To do what?"
"According to Mr. Vale, Julian asked him to retrieve something from the basement."
"What?"
"A container concealed beneath the old flooring."
Morgan remembered Adrian's words.
Ask Julian what he found beneath the cottage.
Detective Kim continued.
"Mr. Vale claims Julian told him the container held financial records that could expose Samuel Whitcomb."
Morgan stood.
"Did he find it?"
"Yes."
"What was inside?"
"We can't discuss every detail."
"Please."
Detective Kim paused.
"But I can tell you it contained records that support part of your grandmother's allegations."
Morgan sat down again.
"Then why did Julian set the house on fire?"
"We're investigating whether the fire was intended to destroy evidence."
"And Adrian?"
"He claims Julian locked him inside before leaving."
Morgan covered her mouth.
Then the detective asked, "Mrs. Bennett, when did your husband first start talking about selling the cottage?"
Morgan thought.
"About six months ago."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
"Did anything significant happen around that time?"
Morgan frowned.
"Julian went on a business trip."
"Where?"
"Milwaukee, I think."
"Was he gone long?"
"Three days."
"Do you remember the exact date?"
Morgan searched her calendar.
Found the entry.
Read it aloud.
Detective Kim became silent.
"Detective?"
"That's interesting."
"Why?"
"Because Rachel Mercer's husband was photographed entering a Milwaukee hotel on that same date."
Morgan froze.
"What?"
"We believe several people connected to Crownbridge met there."
Morgan gripped the phone.
"Julian was at that meeting?"
"We're checking."
Morgan stared at the wall.
Then Kim added, "Mr. Vale has agreed to give a formal statement."
"Will you tell me what he says?"
"We'll share what we can."
Morgan looked toward the window.
"Detective, I have a question."
"Go ahead."
"Did Adrian really die in that boating accident?"
"No."
"Then why did everyone think he did?"
The detective paused.
"Because somebody submitted false information about his disappearance."
Morgan swallowed.
"Who?"
"We believe Julian helped create that story."
Morgan leaned back.
For two years, she'd believed her husband's closest friend had died tragically.
Julian had cried at his memorial.
He'd held Morgan at night and said he couldn't sleep.
He'd blamed the loss for his business failures.
All of it might have been part of a deception.
Then Detective Kim said something Morgan hadn't expected.
"Mrs. Bennett, Mr. Vale claims he tried to leave the group after Rachel died."
"Why?"
"He says he discovered something he couldn't live with."
Morgan waited.
"What?"
The detective hesitated.
Then answered.
"He claims Rachel wasn't the person the group originally intended to target."
Morgan felt cold.
"Who was?"
May you like
A pause.
"Your grandmother."
