Chapter 8: The Secretary Who Disappeared
I didn't move toward the door.
Instead, I looked at Martin.
"Is that the woman who handled my grandfather's estate?""
He nodded.
"Margaret Cole worked for Edward for almost thirty years. She knew every financial arrangement, every trust document, and every private agreement.""
"Why would she be involved in this?""
Martin looked toward the front entrance.
"Because she was the only person who knew where the original trust documents were kept.""
The doorbell rang again.
Then came three sharp knocks.
"Leah!"" the woman called.
"I know you're inside.""
David stepped closer.
"Should I call security?""
"Already done," Martin replied.
I walked toward the entrance.
Martin caught my arm.
"Don't open that door until we know what she wants.""
I looked at him.
"She came here because she knows something. I'm done allowing everyone else to decide what I should know.""
I opened the door.
Margaret Cole stood on the porch, holding a leather handbag.
Her silver hair was neatly arranged, and her beige coat looked expensive.
Beside her stood Richard, visibly irritated.
"Leah," she said warmly.
"You've grown into such a beautiful woman.""
I didn't return the greeting.
"You worked for my grandfather.""
"Thirty-one years.""
"Then perhaps you can explain why I just discovered he had another daughter.""
Margaret's smile faded.
She glanced over my shoulder.
"May I come inside?""
"No.""
Richard stepped forward.
"That's hardly appropriate. My mother has every right to—"
"Your mother is standing on property controlled by Bennett Capital. She can speak from the porch.""
Margaret gave him a warning look.
"Richard, please.""
Then she looked at me.
"I understand you're angry.""
"Angry isn't the word I'd use.""
"Your grandfather made mistakes.""
"Did he also make fake loan authorizations?""
Her expression changed.
For the first time, she looked genuinely frightened.
"Where did you hear about that?""
I folded my arms.
"That's an interesting response.""
Margaret looked toward Richard.
He immediately stepped between us.
"Leah, you're making accusations without understanding the circumstances.""
"Then explain the circumstances.""
He opened his briefcase.
"My client has prepared a proposal to resolve the ownership dispute. You surrender the disputed shares, withdraw the bank challenge, and receive a substantial settlement.""
I almost laughed.
"How much?""
"Twenty-five million dollars.""
I stared at him.
"You're offering me twenty-five million dollars to surrender an ownership interest worth hundreds of millions?""
"It's a generous settlement.""
"Then you should keep it.""
Richard's face tightened.
"You're making an emotional decision.""
"No. I'm making a financial decision. Something you apparently struggle to understand.""
Margaret suddenly spoke.
"Leah, the document Grant wants is not the one you think.""
I looked at her.
"What document?""
"The original succession agreement.""
Martin appeared behind me.
"Margaret, where is it?""
She turned toward him.
"Still asking questions, Martin? You should be grateful Edward didn't expose what you did.""
Martin's jaw tightened.
"I admitted my mistakes.""
"Not all of them.""
I turned between them.
"What is she talking about?""
Margaret opened her handbag.
She removed a small envelope sealed with red wax.
"Your grandfather gave me this shortly before he died.""
My heart began beating faster.
"Why?""
"Because he knew his estate would eventually become a battlefield.""
She held out the envelope.
I didn't take it.
"What's inside?""
"The original succession agreement. It explains why Eleanor has a claim, why you have control, and why Grant has been trying to gain access to the trust.""
Richard grabbed her arm.
"Mother, don't.""
Margaret pulled away.
"You've been protecting the wrong people for too long, Richard.""
He lowered his voice.
"You have no idea what you're doing.""
She ignored him.
Then she handed me the envelope.
Inside was a document bearing three signatures.
Edward Bennett.
William Rowan.
And Eleanor Bennett.
The agreement stated that Eleanor had been named the original beneficiary of a separate family trust.
However, there was a condition.
If she ever disappeared or was declared legally absent, her interest would pass temporarily to Leah Bennett Rowan.
I read the paragraph again.
"Why would Eleanor disappear?""
Margaret looked at me.
"Because she didn't disappear voluntarily.""
A silence fell over the porch.
I felt the blood drain from my face.
"Are you saying someone forced her to leave?""
Margaret nodded.
"William Rowan discovered that Eleanor was investigating suspicious transfers from Bennett Capital. He threatened her. Then he used his influence to make sure she couldn't return.""
I stared at the document.
"Why would my grandfather allow that?""
"He didn't know the full story until it was too late.""
Richard suddenly reached for the envelope.
Martin stepped forward and pushed his hand away.
"Don't.""
Richard stumbled backward.
"You're all making a terrible mistake.""
Margaret looked at him.
"Richard, tell her what happened to the original trust register.""
He went silent.
I turned toward him.
"What register?""
Margaret's eyes filled with tears.
"The register containing the names of every person who received money from the original Bennett trust.""
"Where is it?""
She looked directly at Richard.
"His office.""
Richard's expression became murderous.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
Listened.
And slowly lowered it.
"What?"" Margaret asked.
Richard looked at me.
"Grant has been arrested.""
My heart stopped.
"For what?""
Richard swallowed.
"Attempted fraud.""
May you like
But before I could react, he added:
"And he's claiming you authorized everything.""
