Chapter 5 - Caroline Knew Andrew Was Innocent
Caroline’s signature appeared on a sworn affidavit dated two weeks
before Andrew vanished.
Richard recognized every loop of her handwriting.
The affidavit stated that Caroline personally witnessed Charles Ashford
ordering company counsel to destroy records from the pharmaceutical
trial.
Caroline had been a junior compliance attorney then.
She had never told Richard.
At first, betrayal burned through him.
Then he read the final paragraph.
I have not told Richard because Charles has threatened to destroy his
career and remove him from the family trust if he becomes involved.
Caroline had been protecting him.
Andrew had been protecting him too.
Richard sat in silence.
The two people he believed had kept secrets from him had apparently been
trying to keep his father from destroying him.
Maya uncovered emails between Caroline and Andrew.
They planned to deliver evidence to federal investigators.
But before the meeting, Charles discovered the plan.
Andrew fled.
Caroline stayed.
Why?
One email explained it.
She was pregnant.
With Lily.
Richard’s hands froze.
Caroline had learned she was pregnant only days before Andrew
disappeared.
She refused to run because she feared Charles would retaliate against
Richard and their unborn child.
Andrew promised to continue collecting evidence from outside the
country.
Then communication stopped.
For years.
Until three months ago.
That was when Victoria sold the original vase.
The $180,000 funded something Andrew needed.
Richard still did not understand why.
Then Maya found the invoice.
Private laboratory services.
Historical toxicology testing.
The samples were listed under one name.
CAROLINE ASHFORD.
Richard stopped breathing for a moment.
Caroline had died five years earlier after a sudden cardiac collapse.
Doctors called it an undiagnosed heart condition.
Andrew was now paying to test preserved medical samples from her death.
Richard whispered:
“He thinks Caroline was poisoned.”
Maya did not answer beyond the evidence.
“We know he ordered testing. We don’t know what he believes.”
Richard appreciated the distinction.
He had already lost twelve years to assumptions.
He would not make another.
Then his security chief entered.
They had located Andrew.
He was staying in a rented house ninety minutes away.
Richard stood.
“Take me there.”
But before he left, a message arrived from an unknown number.
DON’T BRING POLICE.
May you like
VICTORIA ISN’T THE PERSON YOU SHOULD BE AFRAID OF.
—ANDREW
