Chapter 9 - MARION'S CONFESSION
Marion called Willow that evening.
Her voice sounded older.
“Come alone.”
Willow almost refused.
Michael did refuse.
But Amanda looked at Willow.
“Secrets survive because everyone waits for someone else to face them.”
Willow went.
Not alone.
She carried a recording device.
Marion was waiting in the Lake Forest mansion library.
No makeup.
No jewelry.
No perfect Sterling mask.
“You look like your grandmother,” Marion said.
Willow remained standing.
“What was Evelyn North to you?”
Marion closed her eyes.
“My best friend.”
“Then why did you lie?”
“Because Richard made lying the price of staying.”
Willow felt no sympathy.
“Start talking.”
Marion looked toward the dark windows.
Evelyn discovered that Charles Sterling had forged documents after Patrick Donovan’s death.
She planned to expose him.
Then Richard, only twenty-seven at the time, discovered her evidence.
“He threatened her?”
Marion shook her head.
“Worse.”
“He convinced her Michael would be blamed.”
Willow’s breath caught.
Richard had fabricated documents making it appear Michael had stolen company funds.
Evelyn believed exposing Charles would send Michael to prison.
So she disappeared.
“Where did she go?”
“Canada.”
“Is she alive?”
Marion nodded.
Willow gripped the chair.
“Why has Richard been paying Harbor North?”
“Because Evelyn kept copies.”
“Copies of what?”
Marion looked at her.
“Everything.”
Patrick’s ownership certificates.
The forged transfers.
Internal letters.
And one report about Patrick Donovan’s fatal crash.
Willow froze.
“My grandfather’s crash?”
Marion began crying.
“He had told Charles he was ending the partnership.”
“The brakes on Patrick’s car failed two days later.”
Michael had spent his entire life believing his father died in an accident.
Willow’s voice became barely audible.
“Are you telling me Charles Sterling killed him?”
“I don’t know.”
“But Evelyn believed the crash was not an accident.”
“And Richard has been paying her?”
“To stay quiet.”
Willow’s stomach turned.
“Ninety-six million dollars?”
Marion shook her head.
“That money wasn’t for silence.”
Willow stared at her.
“Then what was it for?”
Marion swallowed.
“To buy the evidence back.”
“Did she sell it?”
“No.”
Marion looked directly at Willow.
“She sent it to someone in Chicago three days ago.”
Willow’s pulse jumped.
“To who?”
Marion answered.
May you like
“You.”
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