Chapter 7 - Detective Norman’s Warning
Detective Adrian Norman did not promise to believe them.
That was one reason Claire trusted him.
He listened without interrupting as Claire described the closed account, the $18,000 in withdrawals, the forged verbal consent, and Beth’s signature.
They met in a quiet conference room at the police station. Ethan sat beside Claire. Beth sat across from them, twisting her wedding ring around her finger.
Norman examined every document.
When he reached the North Vale invoice, his expression changed.
“You recognize it,” Ethan said.
“I recognize the account number.”
“Whose account is it?”
“I cannot answer that yet.”
“Then tell us whether it is part of an investigation.”
Norman leaned back.
“Three months ago, a former employee of the Ward Foundation reported irregular payments. She claimed donation money was being moved through consulting contracts.”
“What employee?” Claire asked.
“Her name was Olivia Hart.”
Beth looked up.
“I know her. She handled donor communications.”
“Where is she now?”
“Missing,” Norman said.
The room became silent.
“Missing since when?” Ethan asked.
“Two weeks after she contacted us.”
Claire remembered the unknown text.
Your family has already taken the money.
“Did she use this phone number?” Claire showed Norman the message.
He photographed the screen.
“I will check.”
Beth’s breathing became shallow.
“Are you saying my parents did something to Olivia?”
“I am saying she stopped answering calls and left her apartment without taking her car, passport, or medication.”
Claire felt Ethan’s hand close around hers.
Norman continued.
“Her last report mentioned an account receiving repeated payments of $18,000. She believed the amount was intentionally kept below an internal review threshold.”
“Why would my parents also take $18,000 from Claire?” Beth asked.
“Possibly to replace money removed from somewhere else.”
Claire looked at the transaction dates.
“The withdrawals happened before Olivia disappeared.”
“Then your account may have been used to cover a shortfall she was about to discover.”
Ethan placed the old photograph on the table.
Norman studied it.
“Where did you get this?”
“My mother’s files.”
Norman pointed to Samuel Bennett.
“This man has been dead for twenty years.”
“No body was found.”
“He was declared legally dead.”
“We received a message saying he is alive.”
Norman photographed the message too.
“Do not respond.”
“Do you believe it?” Claire asked.
“I believe someone wants you to think about Samuel Bennett.”
Norman looked at Beth.
“Mrs. Mercer, your signature gives your parents a defense. They can claim you approved the transfers.”
“I did not know what I was signing.”
“Can you prove that?”
Beth swallowed.
“No.”
“Were you given a copy?”
“No.”
“Was anyone else present?”
“My mother. My father. A nurse came in once.”
“What hospital?”
Beth hesitated.
“St. Catherine’s.”
Norman wrote it down.
“Request your complete medical records. If you were given medication affecting your judgment, it matters.”
Beth nodded.
Norman returned the documents to Claire.
“Do not confront your parents. Do not tell them what evidence you have. Do not attend any private meeting without witnesses.”
“The baby shower is at their house,” Claire said.
“Do not go.”
Beth looked toward Claire.
“If we do not go, they will destroy whatever is left.”
Norman’s expression sharpened.
“What do you mean?”
Beth opened her purse and removed another paper.
“I found this in Dad’s office after the café.”
It was a schedule for foundation record disposal.
The date listed was the morning after the baby shower.
Boxes marked North Vale, E.W., and Legacy Accounts were scheduled for secure destruction.
Norman read the list twice.
“I can request a preservation order, but I need more than family suspicions.”
“What about Olivia’s report?”
“It began a preliminary inquiry. It did not establish probable cause for a search.”
“Then they will destroy everything.”
Norman looked at each of them.
“You cannot steal documents from the house.”
Claire understood what he was not saying.
“But if they show us documents voluntarily?”
“Record only where legally permitted. Keep every message. Save every file.”
Beth pushed the schedule toward him.
“You need to see the bottom.”
Beneath the disposal list was a handwritten note.
Transfer remaining Legacy balance before Claire arrives.
Amount: $480,000.
May you like
Norman stood.
“Now you have my full attention.”
