Chapter 25 - Marianne’s Bargain
Marianne was arrested two days later.
She had been found in a motel outside Indianapolis.
She did not resist.
Daniel met her only after Marlow agreed.
Nathan refused.
“I’m not ready.”
Nobody pressured him.
Marianne confessed more quickly than expected.
Samuel had contacted her fourteen months earlier.
He knew where Nathan lived.
He knew Nathan had a wife.
A career.
A life built without the Holloways.
Samuel promised to keep Nathan outside the investigation if Marianne helped him reconstruct the old corporate network.
She agreed.
Then Peter discovered the transfers.
Samuel ordered Marianne to convince Trent that Arthur Whitmore’s family still possessed money stolen from Charles.
She fed Trent resentment.
Fed him old photographs.
Fed him lies.
Eventually Samuel used Trent’s desperation to enter Eleanor’s house.
Daniel stared at his sister through the interview-room glass.
“You ruined Rachel’s marriage.”
Marianne’s voice broke.
“No. Trent ruined his marriage.”
Daniel said nothing.
She continued.
“I gave him a reason to hate. I did not make him hit anyone.”
It was the first honest distinction she had made.
Then Marlow asked about the night she claimed to be Trent’s biological mother.
Marianne looked at the table.
“Samuel told me to.”
“Why?”
“He needed the envelope.”
“You stole it.”
“Yes.”
“Why create the lie about Trent’s birth?”
“To create confusion.”
Rachel had guessed correctly.
Samuel needed everyone emotionally destabilized.
Marianne’s revelation bought her seconds.
Enough to steal Arthur’s envelope when the lights failed.
“Was Trent your son?”
“No.”
“Who was?”
Marianne looked through the observation glass.
She could not see Nathan.
But somehow she seemed to know he was nearby.
“Nathan.”
Nathan walked away.
He did not need to hear anything else.
Before the interview ended, Marianne gave Marlow one more piece.
Samuel kept an emergency office under another name.
Not downtown.
Not near his law firm.
Inside an abandoned branch of Whitmore Industrial.
Marlow searched it.
The office was empty.
But inside the desk was a photograph of Eleanor’s attic.
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On the back Samuel had written:
SEVENTH STAR.
