Chapter 10 - Margaret Reads Henry’s Final Page
The final ledger page had been stuck to the back cover.
A conservator separated it.
Henry had written:
MARGARET SHOULD HAVE BEEN TOLD FROM THE BEGINNING.
Below that:
I called it protection because I was afraid she would disagree with me.
Margaret cried quietly.
Henry had loved her.
She never doubted that.
But love had not prevented him from controlling information.
The page explained the mysterious handwritten warning on the appointment letter too.
Henry had instructed his estate attorney, Laura Bennett, to send Margaret the meeting notice if the founder shares were ever needed.
Laura had written:
DO NOT GIVE THOMAS THE ORIGINAL.
She suspected Thomas might still be involved.
She did not call Margaret directly because she feared company communications were monitored.
The dramatic message had a mundane author.
A cautious attorney.
Margaret almost laughed.
Alexander asked why Laura had waited.
Because Henry’s instructions were triggered only if the company attempted to sell the manufacturing division tied to the old Northbridge contracts.
That sale activated the contingency.
Henry had designed one final safeguard.
Useful.
Late.
And still built around secrecy.
Margaret folded the letter.
“He could have just told me.”
May you like
Alexander nodded.
That became the sentence nobody upstairs could escape.
