Chapter 24 - The Third NameJulianne's call began calmly.
Then came the name.
Charles Vane.
Adrian knew it well.
Charles had been Leonard's business partner.
He was now vice chairman of Mercer Development.
For decades Adrian had considered him family.
Julianne said:
“Charles authorized the payments.”
Eleanor's younger voice asked:
“Are you certain?”
“I have his signature.”
“And Leonard?”
“He approved the cover-up.”
Julianne lowered her voice.
“But Charles is afraid Leonard will confess if investigators get close.”
Emma paused the recording.
“Charles had more reason to kill her than Leonard.”
Adrian nodded.
Charles had personally managed the school contracts.
A criminal investigation would have destroyed him.
The recording continued.
“If something happens to me, look at page forty-seven.”
Emma and Adrian exchanged glances.
Then Julianne said something neither expected.
“I mailed a copy to Adrian.”
Adrian stood.
“What?”
The recording ended.
A copy had been sent directly to him.
He had never received it.
Someone inside the Mercer household intercepted Julianne's mail.
Eleanor looked devastated when confronted.
“I never saw it.”
Adrian believed her.
That left Leonard's office.
Graham Holt.
And Charles Vane.
Charles had remained beside Adrian for twenty-four years.
He attended Julianne's funeral.
He gave the eulogy.
He had held Adrian's shoulder while the coffin went into the ground.
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The killer might not have hidden from Adrian.
He might have stood beside him.
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