Chapter 10: The Woman Who Saw Eleanor Die
Patricia Whitmore stared at the photograph in Marcus's hand.
Her mother stood beside Eleanor Bennett and Charles Whitmore, smiling as though they were old friends.
The photograph was dated twenty-three years earlier.
Patricia shook her head.
"No. My mother never knew Eleanor.""
Daniel looked at her.
"She knew her very well.""
"You're lying.""
"Your mother was involved in the original foundation negotiations. She was the person who introduced Charles to Eleanor.""
Patricia grabbed the photograph.
"Why would my mother do that?""
Daniel glanced at Marcus before answering.
"Because Charles wasn't working alone.""
Marcus placed both hands on the table.
"Daniel, I want the entire truth. No more fragments.""
Daniel nodded.
"Your mother, Eleanor, was planning to expand Bennett Maritime internationally. She needed investors, and Patricia's father, Richard Whitmore, introduced her to several wealthy business partners.""
Patricia stared at the photograph.
"My father told me he barely knew the Bennetts.""
"That wasn't true.""
Daniel continued.
"Richard and Charles had been working together for years. They created a private investment company and persuaded Eleanor to place some of her assets under its management.""
Marcus frowned.
"How much?""
"Nearly sixty million dollars.""
I heard Patricia gasp.
Daniel explained that the money had originally been intended to finance new shipyards and expand the marina network.
Instead, portions of it began disappearing into companies registered under different names.
Eleanor noticed.
She confronted Richard and Charles.
Then, according to Daniel, she discovered something even worse.
"They had prepared a second ownership agreement," he said.
"One that would transfer the foundation's controlling interest without Eleanor's knowledge.""
Marcus looked at the documents.
"That's the agreement my father mentioned.""
Daniel nodded.
"Yes. But Eleanor discovered the plan before it was finalized.""
Patricia sank into her chair.
"Where does my mother fit into this?""
Daniel hesitated.
"She knew about the transfer.""
Patricia's eyes filled.
"No.""
"She was supposed to persuade Eleanor to sign the revised agreement. When Eleanor refused, things became ugly.""
Marcus stepped closer.
"What happened the night Eleanor died?""
Daniel looked down.
"I wasn't there. But I received a call from your father that evening. He told me Eleanor had been in an accident.""
Marcus closed his eyes.
"And Richard Whitmore?""
"He told everyone he had been out of town.""
Patricia stood abruptly.
"That's impossible. My father was home that night. I remember because he missed my school recital.""
Nobody spoke.
Then she looked at Daniel.
"Are you telling me he was involved in Eleanor's death?""
Daniel shook his head.
"I'm telling you that his name appears in the original investigation records, and that he lied about his whereabouts.""
Marcus immediately picked up his phone.
"James, contact our legal team. I want the original police records and every document connected to Eleanor's accident.""
James nodded.
"I'll arrange it.""
Patricia began pacing.
"My mother died five years ago. My father died two years after that. I can't ask either of them what happened.""
Marcus's expression softened.
"Then we'll have to find the evidence they left behind.""
A quiet voice came from beside me.
"Can we go to Grandpa's lighthouse?""
Noah was holding the brass key.
Marcus looked at him.
"Not until we make sure it's safe.""
"But Grandpa left something there for us.""
Marcus crouched.
"I know, buddy.""
Noah looked at the photograph.
"Maybe Grandma left it too.""
Marcus stared at his son.
For the first time that afternoon, I saw something resembling hope in his eyes.
He turned toward James.
"Arrange a security team. We're going to the lighthouse.""
Charles suddenly laughed.
Everyone turned.
"You think you're going to find something there?""
Marcus looked at him.
"Why? Is there something I should be worried about?""
Charles straightened his jacket.
"That property has been abandoned for years. Whatever your father hid there is probably worthless.""
Daniel stepped forward.
"You know what's inside.""
Charles's smile disappeared.
"I know nothing.""
Daniel looked at Patricia.
"Your husband once asked me to locate the lighthouse's underground entrance. He wanted the original agreement before Robert could transfer the foundation to Noah.""
Patricia turned toward Charles.
"You knew about this?""
Charles said nothing.
Marcus approached him.
"James, make sure he doesn't leave until our attorneys arrive.""
Charles looked at the security officers.
"You can't detain me!""
One officer replied, "Nobody is detaining you, sir. We're asking you to remain available while the relevant documents are reviewed.""
Charles grabbed his briefcase.
Then he leaned toward Marcus.
"You should ask your son what his grandfather told him before he died.""
Marcus frowned.
"What are you talking about?""
Charles looked at Noah.
"Did Robert tell you about the little red boat?""
Noah went completely still.
I looked down at him.
"Sweetheart?""
His lips trembled.
"Grandpa showed me a picture of it.""
Marcus knelt immediately.
"What picture?""
Noah looked at his father.
"He said if anyone ever came looking for the lighthouse, I should remember the red boat.""
Charles smiled.
And for the first time, it wasn't a confident smile.
It was the smile of someone who had just discovered that a child remembered something he had desperately hoped would stay forgotten.
Marcus stood.
"James, we're leaving now.""
As we walked toward the dock, Daniel caught up with us.
"Mr. Bennett.""
Marcus turned.
Daniel lowered his voice.
"There's one more thing. The lighthouse has two entrances.""
Marcus stopped.
"Two?""
"Yes. The main entrance and the one your mother used.""
He looked toward Noah.
"Your grandfather told me the second entrance could only be opened with something Eleanor wore every day.""
Marcus stared at him.
"What's that?""
May you like
Daniel swallowed.
"Her wedding ring.""
