Chapter 18 - Olivia’s Last Secret
Olivia Dane arrived at Gerald’s office voluntarily.
She had heard the investigation was reopening.
“I should have told you something during Jack’s case,” she said.
Megan’s expression hardened.
Olivia placed her phone on the table.
Months before the airport incident, Marcus Vale had summoned Olivia to his office.
He knew about her relationship with Jack.
He also knew her brother controlled Dane Medical Logistics.
Marcus offered to ensure the company continued receiving hospital contracts.
In return, Olivia would stop asking why certain invoices were being processed through her department.
“I knew the contracts were questionable,” Olivia said. “I told myself it was Jack’s money and hospital politics.”
“It was money for sick children.”
“I know.”
There was no excuse in Olivia’s voice this time.
She opened an old cloud backup.
A voice message played.
Marcus’s voice was unmistakable.
Keep your department clean on paper and I’ll handle the rest. Jack understands how this works.
Olivia had saved it because even then she feared being blamed someday.
“Why didn’t you give this to investigators?”
“I was terrified they would charge my brother with more crimes.”
Megan stared at her.
“So you protected your family.”
“Yes.”
“And let mine carry the consequences.”
Olivia lowered her head.
“Yes.”
For several seconds Megan said nothing.
Then she slid the phone toward Naomi.
“Copy it.”
Olivia looked surprised.
“You’re not going to yell at me?”
“What would it change?”
Olivia began crying.
“I destroyed your marriage.”
“No.”
Megan shook her head.
“Jack did that. You helped him lie, but he made his choices.”
The distinction was important.
Megan had spent too long allowing Jack’s choices to become judgments about everyone around him.
Now she understood accountability could be divided correctly.
Olivia was responsible for what she had done.
Jack was responsible for what he had done.
May you like
Marcus was about to become responsible for what he had done.
And the evidence was finally beginning to connect them all.
