Chapter 10: ## Chapter 10: The Trap at the Old Bennett Hotel
At 1:12 p.m., someone: The Trap at the Old Bennett Hotel
At 1:12 p.m., someone threatened to kill my missing assistant unless I brought my father's threatened to kill my missing assistant unless I brought my father's blue ledger to an abandoned hotel.
The same message accused my own attorney of helping conceal the theft.
For the first time since the gala, I felt blue ledger to an abandoned hotel.
The same message accused my own attorney of helping conceal the theft.
For the first time since the gala, I felt genuinely afraid.
Not for my money. Not for my reputation.
For Caroline, who had tried to tell me the truth while someone hunted her down genuinely afraid.
Not for my money. Not for my reputation.
For Caroline, who had tried to tell me the truth while someone hunted her down.
Margaret read the message twice.
“Absolutely not,” she said.
“You are not going to that hotel alone.””
“They specifically told me not to bring you.””
“Which is precisely why we.
Margaret read the message twice.
“Absolutely not,” she said.
“You are not going to that hotel alone.””
“They specifically told me not to bring you.””
“Which is precisely why we shouldn't trust the instruction.””
I looked at the blue ledger inside its protective case.
“Caroline said Daniel wasn't the one who started shouldn't trust the instruction.””
I looked at the blue ledger inside its protective case.
“Caroline said Daniel wasn't the one who started everything. She was about to identify the real beneficiary when the call ended.””
“And the anonymous sender wants us to believe I'm involved,” Margaret replied.
“ everything. She was about to identify the real beneficiary when the call ended.””
“And the anonymous sender wants us to believe I'm involved,” Margaret replied.
“That could mean they're trying to separate you from someone who can protect your legal interests.””
“Or they know something about you that I don'tThat could mean they're trying to separate you from someone who can protect your legal interests.””
“Or they know something about you that I don't.””
Margaret went very still.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then she pulled a chair toward the desk.
“Olivia, your father hired.””
Margaret went very still.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then she pulled a chair toward the desk.
“Olivia, your father hired me to handle his estate. I reviewed the documents after his death, and I helped you establish the foundation's legal structure. If me to handle his estate.
I reviewed the documents after his death, and I helped you establish the foundation's legal structure. If someone is suggesting I concealed evidence, I want that investigated just as thoroughly as everything else.””
I studied her face.
I'd known Margaret since I was young someone is suggesting I concealed evidence, I want that investigated just as thoroughly as everything else.””
I studied her face.
I'd known Margaret since I was young. She'd defended my father against dishonest contractors, helped me through his funeral, and spent countless nights reviewing contracts with me.
But Daniel had once been. She'd defended my father against dishonest contractors, helped me through his funeral, and spent countless nights reviewing contracts with me.
But Daniel had once been someone I trusted, too.
“Then we'll verify your involvement independently,” I said.
“No exceptions.””
She nodded without hesitation.
“Ag someone I trusted, too.
“Then we'll verify your involvement independently,” I said.
“No exceptions.””
She nodded without hesitation.
“Agreed.””
We contacted the police and provided them with the messages. Investigators warned us that the demand could be a trap and asked me not to attend the meeting without their involvement.
I agreed.
But Ireed.””
We contacted the police and provided them with the messages. Investigators warned us that the demand could be a trap and asked me not to attend the meeting without their involvement.
I agreed.
But I had one condition.
“I want Caroline brought out alive. If she's there, I don't want anyone rushing in without had one condition.
“I want Caroline brought out alive. If she's there, I don't want anyone rushing in without considering her safety.””
The lead investigator, Detective Harris, listened carefully.
“We'll assess considering her safety.””
The lead investigator, Detective Harris, listened carefully.
“We'll assess the location first. If we establish a credible threat, we'll coordinate a controlled response. You won't enter the building unless we determine it's safe.””
At the location first. If we establish a credible threat, we'll coordinate a controlled response. You won't enter the building unless we determine it's safe.””
At 2:30 p.m., detectives began examining the old Bennett Hotel.
My father had purchased the property when I was a teenager. It had once been 2:30 p.m., detectives began examining the old Bennett Hotel.
My father had purchased the property when I was a teenager. It had once been his pride and joy, a grand brick building near downtown Atlanta where he hosted business dinners and charity meetings.
He his pride and joy, a grand brick building near downtown Atlanta where he hosted business dinners and charity meetings.
He sold it years later after a major redevelopment project fell through.
The building had since been closed for renovations that never happened.
Only sold it years later after a major redevelopment project fell through.
The building had since been closed for renovations that never happened.
Only a handful of people knew my father had kept a small private office on the third floor until the a handful of people knew my father had kept a small private office on the third floor until the sale.
If someone wanted the original donor records, it was a logical place to look.
At 3:05 p.m., Detective Harris called.
“We've reviewed the available exterior footage,” he said.
“A black SUV sale.
If someone wanted the original donor records, it was a logical place to look.
At 3:05 p.m., Detective Harris called.
“We've reviewed the available exterior footage,” he said.
“A black SUV entered the property at 11:46 last night. It left seventeen minutes later.””
“Can you identify the driver?””
“Not yet. The plates appear to have been obscured.””
I looked at Margaret entered the property at 11:46 last night. It left seventeen minutes later.””
“Can you identify the driver?””
“Not yet. The plates appear to have been obscured.””
I looked at Margaret.
Someone had been there before the threat arrived.
“Did you find evidence that Caroline was inside?””
“Not enough to confirm that. We found a discarded.
Someone had been there before the threat arrived.
“Did you find evidence that Caroline was inside?””
“Not enough to confirm that. We found a discarded water bottle and a torn piece of fabric in a service corridor. Both are being examined.””
water bottle and a torn piece of fabric in a service corridor. Both are being examined.””
My throat tightened.
“Please tell me as soon as you know anything.””
“We will.””
At four o'clock, I received another message.
A photograph showed Caroline sitting on a wooden chair in a room with peeling wallpaper. Her wrists appeared to be tied in front of her.
HerMy throat tightened.
“Please tell me as soon as you know anything.””
“We will.””
At four o'clock, I received another message.
A photograph showed Caroline sitting on a wooden chair in a room with peeling wallpaper. Her wrists appeared to be tied in front of her.
Her eyes were open.
She was alive.
Underneath the photograph were four words.
*Six o'clock. Bring the ledger.*
I sent the image to Detective Harris.
eyes were open.
She was alive.
Underneath the photograph were four words.
*Six o'clock. Bring the ledger.*
I sent the image to Detective Harris.
His reply came quickly.
Do not respond. We are assessing the situation.
I hated waiting.
Every minute feltHis reply came quickly.
Do not respond. We are assessing the situation.
I hated waiting.
Every minute felt like a choice I was making on Caroline's behalf.
At 4:40 p.m., Thomas Harrison arrived at my office with a report from like a choice I was making on Caroline's behalf.
At 4:40 p.m., Thomas Harrison arrived at my office with a report from the hotel's security department.
“Miss Bennett, we've identified the person who used the physical override key to enter your private office last Tuesday.””
“Who?””
“Evel the hotel's security department.
“Miss Bennett, we've identified the person who used the physical override key to enter your private office last Tuesday.””
“Who?””
“Evelyn Shaw.””
The room seemed to shrink.
“Are you certain?””
“The camera footage is partially obstructed, but the person matches heryn Shaw.””
The room seemed to shrink.
“Are you certain?””
“The camera footage is partially obstructed, but the person matches her appearance. We also found a visitor registration under her name.””
Margaret closed her notebook.
“Did she have permission to enter?””
“Not from Olivia. But someone on the executive floor authorized the visit.””
“Who?””
Thomas hesitated.
“Daniel Bennett.””
I stared at him.
E appearance. We also found a visitor registration under her name.””
Margaret closed her notebook.
“Did she have permission to enter?””
“Not from Olivia. But someone on the executive floor authorized the visit.””
“Who?””
Thomas hesitated.
“Daniel Bennett.””
I stared at him.
Evelyn had been connected to my father's old accounts. She had recommended Daniel. She had access to my office, and someone was now usingvelyn had been connected to my father's old accounts.
She had recommended Daniel. She had access to my office, and someone was now using her name to connect her to the missing ledger.
“What did she take?”” I asked.
“We don't know. The office inventory showed her name to connect her to the missing ledger.
“What did she take?”” I asked.
“We don't know. The office inventory showed no obvious missing items besides the old key.””
I thought of the photograph I'd found beneath my desk calendar.
Daniel, Caroline, and Stephen standing outside my office.
The silver key in Daniel's hand.
The anonymous warning no obvious missing items besides the old key.””
I thought of the photograph I'd found beneath my desk calendar.
Daniel, Caroline, and Stephen standing outside my office.
The silver key in Daniel's hand.
The anonymous warning about Margaret.
The pieces were closing around me, but I still couldn't see the whole picture.
At 5:10 p.m., Detective about Margaret.
The pieces were closing around me, but I still couldn't see the whole picture.
At 5:10 p.m., Detective Harris called again.
“We've confirmed a vehicle registered to Stephen Cole was parked two blocks from the old hotel this afternoon.””
“Does that mean he's there?””
“No. But it increases our concern that the location is being Harris called again.
“We've confirmed a vehicle registered to Stephen Cole was parked two blocks from the old hotel this afternoon.””
“Does that mean he's there?””
“No. But it increases our concern that the location is being used by someone connected to the investigation.””
“Can you get Caroline out?””
“We're working on it.””
I looked at the clock.
Fifty minutes.
used by someone connected to the investigation.””
“Can you get Caroline out?””
“We're working on it.””
I looked at the clock.
Fifty minutes.
Margaret stood and walked toward the window.
“Olivia, there is something I need to tell you before this goes any furtherMargaret stood and walked toward the window.
“Olivia, there is something I need to tell you before this goes any further.””
I turned.
“What?””
“Four years ago, after your father's death, I received a sealed envelope from him. It contained instructions regarding a confidential financial review.””
.””
I turned.
“What?””
“Four years ago, after your father's death, I received a sealed envelope from him. It contained instructions regarding a confidential financial review.””
My pulse quickened.
“You never told me about that.””
“Because the instructions said to keep it confidential until I could verify certainMy pulse quickened.
“You never told me about that.””
“Because the instructions said to keep it confidential until I could verify certain transactions. I reviewed the records, but the supporting documents were incomplete.””
“Who was named in the review transactions. I reviewed the records, but the supporting documents were incomplete.””
“Who was named in the review?””
Margaret looked directly at me.
“Evelyn Shaw.””
I felt as though someone had struck me.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because the review?””
Margaret looked directly at me.
“Evelyn Shaw.””
I felt as though someone had struck me.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Because the review didn't establish that she had committed a crime. Your father suspected a conflict of interest, but he hadn't finished his investigation.””
“Did you destroy anything didn't establish that she had committed a crime. Your father suspected a conflict of interest, but he hadn't finished his investigation.””
“Did you destroy anything?””
“No.””
“Did you hide evidence?””
“I retained the envelope and the original instructions. They're in my firm's secure archive.””
I searched?””
“No.””
“Did you hide evidence?””
“I retained the envelope and the original instructions. They're in my firm's secure archive.””
I searched her face.
“Why would the anonymous message accuse you?””
“I don't know. But I suspect whoever sent it knows I her face.
“Why would the anonymous message accuse you?””
“I don't know. But I suspect whoever sent it knows I received those instructions.””
Detective Harris called again before I could respond.
His voice was urgent.
“We've located a second entrance to received those instructions.””
Detective Harris called again before I could respond.
His voice was urgent.
“We've located a second entrance to the old hotel. Our team found signs of recent use, and there's a light visible on the third floor.””
“Caroline?””
“We can't confirm that.””
Then the old hotel. Our team found signs of recent use, and there's a light visible on the third floor.””
“Caroline?””
“We can't confirm that.””
Then I heard typing in the background.
“Detective,” I said, “what is it?””
He paused.
“We've just received a message from I heard typing in the background.
“Detective,” I said, “what is it?””
He paused.
“We've just received a message from an account associated with Evelyn Shaw.””
“What does it say?””
“She's requesting an urgent meeting with you.””
“Where?””
“At an account associated with Evelyn Shaw.””
“What does it say?””
“She's requesting an urgent meeting with you.””
“Where?””
“At the old Bennett Hotel.””
I looked at the blue ledger.
Six o'clock was approaching.
And for the first time, I wondered whether Caroline's captor had chosen that location because it was convenient.
Or because my father had left something there that could destroy the person behind the the old Bennett Hotel.””
I looked at the blue ledger.
Six o'clock was approaching.
And for the first time, I wondered whether Caroline's captor had chosen that location because it was convenient.
May you like
Or because my father had left something there that could destroy the person behind the entire scheme.
entire scheme.
