Chapter 17 - THE LAST MESSAGE
Michael Cole died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
But the note in his pocket suggested something else.
Mary read it inside Detective Martinez’s office.
Thomas always keeps one person outside the fire.
If I am dead, find the person who benefited when everyone else fell.
Mary looked up.
“What does that mean?”
Martinez placed photographs across the table.
Thomas arrested.
Michael dead.
Ethan facing prison.
Vanessa exposed.
Bennett Holdings destabilized.
Mary’s eyes moved from face to face.
“Who benefits?”
Daniel entered carrying corporate records.
“We asked the same question.”
He placed a shareholder list on the desk.
During the market crash caused by Thomas’s media attack, someone had purchased millions of dollars in Bennett shares at reduced prices.
The buyer used several investment funds.
Olivia traced them to one individual.
Mary stared at the name.
Eleanor Bennett.
Her mother.
“No.”
Daniel spoke carefully.
“Mary, the purchases were authorized through your mother’s family trust.”
“She didn’t make them.”
“We need to ask her.”
Mary drove home.
Eleanor was in the kitchen.
Mary placed the documents on the island.
“Did you buy Bennett stock during the crash?”
Eleanor looked at them.
Then at Mary.
“Yes.”
Mary’s chest tightened.
“Why?”
“Because it was undervalued.”
“Mom.”
“I knew the company would recover if you defeated Thomas.”
“You invested almost forty million dollars.”
“Yes.”
“Where did that money come from?”
Eleanor went silent.
Mary’s heartbeat changed.
“Mom.”
Eleanor sat down.
“Your father and I kept an emergency account.”
“How much?”
“Enough.”
“Why did no one know?”
“Because Richard learned from Rebecca.”
Mary stared.
“Learned what?”
“Never place every weapon on the same table.”
Mary almost laughed from disbelief.
“So Michael’s note meant you?”
“No.”
Eleanor’s answer came immediately.
Mary believed her.
“Then who benefited more?”
Eleanor looked toward the hallway.
“Someone who has not lost anything.”
Mary followed her gaze.
A framed family photograph hung on the wall.
Mary.
Eleanor.
Richard.
Thomas.
And behind them, smiling, was a man Mary had barely considered throughout the entire scandal.
Graham Pierce.
The Bennett family’s longtime private banker.
He had managed their trusts for twenty-four years.
He had authenticated Northstar transactions.
He had approved emergency loans.
He had certified Thomas’s authority.
Mary felt cold.
“Graham.”
Eleanor nodded.
“Your father stopped trusting him shortly before the stroke.”
Mary called Daniel.
No answer.
She called Olivia.
No answer.
Then her phone rang.
Daniel.
Mary answered.
His breathing sounded strained.
“Mary.”
“What happened?”
“Graham Pierce is at Northstar’s office.”
“Why?”
“He just accessed the beneficiary system.”
Mary’s stomach dropped.
“Can he transfer control?”
“No.”
A pause.
May you like
“But he can erase evidence.”
Then the line went dead.
