Chapter 6 - THE FRIEND WHO APPROVED EVERYTHING

Matthew Crane disappeared before police reached his office.

His apartment had been emptied.

His phone was found inside a parked car near the marina.

A handwritten note rested on the passenger seat.

I cannot live with what I did.

Detective Bennett did not believe it.

Matthew wrote in block letters.

The note was written in elegant cursive.

Iris asked to see a photograph.

“That looks like Camille’s handwriting.”

A forensic examiner later agreed.

Matthew had not fled.

Someone wanted police to believe he was dead.

Estate recordings revealed a meeting inside Gabriel’s study two nights earlier.

Matthew sat across from Richard.

“I am finished.”

“You are finished when I decide.”

“The restoration money has to be returned.”

Richard smiled.

“You approved every transfer.”

“I kept copies.”

Camille entered.

“You will give them to us.”

Matthew looked at her.

“Your husband will discover everything.”

“He will be inside a private clinic before the board listens to him.”

Matthew stood.

“I am going to federal investigators.”

Richard remained calm.

“Then your wife learns about the apartment in Boston.”

“Your children learn where the missing money went.”

Matthew’s face collapsed.

Camille placed a folder on the desk.

“Bring the files tomorrow.”

Matthew never appeared.

Police traced his last location to an abandoned Mercer hotel under renovation.

A private medical van was found inside the service tunnel.

Matthew lay inside.

His wrists were restrained.

A sedative line was taped to his arm.

Transfer papers described him as suicidal.

Dr. Shaw had signed them.

Matthew regained consciousness two days later.

Gabriel spoke with him through a secure hospital connection.

“I trusted you.”

Matthew closed his eyes.

“I know.”

“How much did you take?”

“Personally?”

“Yes.”

“Five million.”

“And the restoration fund?”

“Forty-two million.”

“Did you know about Evelyn?”

“Not until two years ago.”

“What did you do after you learned?”

“Nothing.”

The answer was simple.

It was also unforgivable.

Matthew explained that a failed investment left him deeply in debt.

Richard paid the debt.

Then he demanded approvals.

The first transfer appeared temporary.

The second looked necessary.

By the fifth, Matthew could no longer expose Richard without exposing himself.

He also arranged false business crises that kept Gabriel traveling.

London.

Tokyo.

Chicago.

Zurich.

Some problems were real.

Most were exaggerated.

Camille did not merely exploit Gabriel’s absence.

She manufactured it.

Matthew agreed to testify.

He would face prison.

Gabriel told him their friendship was over.

Matthew nodded.

“I know.”

“No.”

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“You know the sentence.”

“You do not understand the loss.”