Chapter 6 - David Finds His Father’s Bible
Robert’s safe-deposit box contained copies of Samuel’s financial records
and an old audio cassette.
On the tape, Robert questioned Jonathan Brooks.
Jonathan admitted Eleanor authorized illegal payments.
Then Robert asked about the warehouse fire.
Jonathan’s voice shook.
“I don’t know who started it.”
“But?”
“She knew Samuel was inside.”
Jonathan explained that Eleanor sent a security contractor to retrieve
Samuel’s ledger.
“The fire wasn’t supposed to happen.”
The contractor was supposed to enter after Samuel left.
Something went wrong.
Jonathan helped Eleanor alter records afterward.
David stopped the tape.
“Why didn’t Dad go to police?”
Margaret began crying.
“Because I stopped him.”
Everyone turned.
Eleanor had discovered Catherine was pregnant with Samuel’s child.
She threatened to use her money and lawyers to challenge Catherine’s
fitness, seize control of the baby’s inheritance, and bury Catherine in
litigation.
Margaret believed her.
So Margaret begged Robert to keep quiet.
Robert did.
Hannah stared at her.
“You made a deal about my life without my mother.”
“Yes.”
“You called that protection?”
Margaret closed her eyes.
“At the time.”
“And now?”
“No.”
The word came quietly.
Margaret had protected herself, Robert, and the family structure.
Catherine and Hannah paid the price.
Then David asked why Margaret had been searching for the Bible that
morning.
She admitted receiving an anonymous letter three weeks earlier.
CATHERINE REED IS DYING. THE GIRL WILL COME.
Laura stared at her.
“You knew Hannah might show up.”
“Yes.”
“And you still planned to bring Natalie here to humiliate me?”
Margaret lowered her eyes.
She had wanted David surrounded by people she trusted before the old
scandal surfaced.
Laura understood.
May you like
Margaret had been trying to replace her before a family crisis because
Laura was the one person Margaret could not control.
