Chapter 3 - the man who stood beside the coffin
Russell Crane arrived at Bennett Global every morning at 7:15.
Arthur knew this because Russell liked people to know it.
He cultivated the image of the indispensable executive.
Early arrivals.
Late departures.
Perfect suits.
Perfect memory.
Perfect loyalty.
The morning after Victoria was removed from the mansion for questioning, Arthur entered Bennett Global at 6:40.
Only Marcus knew he was there.
Arthur used the private executive elevator and went directly to his office on the fifty second floor.
Manhattan stretched beneath the windows.
The city looked normal.
That offended him.
Somehow taxis still moved.
Coffee shops still opened.
People still hurried to work while Arthur's life had split open.
At 7:16, Russell appeared.
He smiled when he saw Arthur.
"You're back early."
Arthur studied him.
Gray suit.
Silver tie.
Calm eyes.
"Chicago ended faster than expected."
"I heard there was an incident at the house."
Arthur wondered how.
He had told almost no one.
"What did you hear?"
Russell shrugged.
"Victoria called me."
Arthur kept his face still.
"When?"
"Last night."
"From police custody?"
"Before that."
Arthur remembered Victoria standing in the foyer between security officers.
She had asked to use the restroom.
She must have called Russell then.
"What did she say?"
"That you misunderstood a disciplinary issue with Lily."
Arthur walked toward the windows.
"And did you believe her?"
Russell hesitated.
"I try not to involve myself in marriages."
"Interesting."
Arthur turned.
"Because you involved yourself in mine six weeks ago."
Russell's expression barely shifted.
Arthur placed a copy of the forged trust transfer on the desk.
"Recognize it?"
Russell glanced down.
"No."
Arthur watched him carefully.
"Your access credentials downloaded the template."
Russell looked up.
"Then someone used my credentials."
"Convenient."
"Arthur, I have worked for you for eleven years."
"You stood beside me at Claire's funeral."
Russell's jaw tightened.
"I did."
"You held Lily's hand when she cried."
"This is becoming inappropriate."
Arthur stepped closer.
"No, Russell. Inappropriate was putting my forged signature on a document transferring forty eight million dollars from my daughter's trust."
Russell's face hardened.
"I didn't do that."
"Then help me find who did."
"I will."
Arthur smiled without warmth.
"You already have."
Russell frowned.
Arthur picked up his phone.
Marcus entered.
Russell turned.
Arthur continued.
"Your building access was used at 11:48 p.m. six weeks ago. Your credentials opened the legal archive. Your terminal downloaded the trust template."
"I told you someone used my credentials."
"Your face opened the elevator."
That silence lasted two seconds too long.
Russell recovered.
"Biometric systems fail."
"Then you'll have no problem giving the police your devices."
Russell stepped back.
"This is absurd."
Arthur saw fear.
It was small.
But it was there.
Russell reached for his phone.
Marcus moved between him and the door.
"Not yet."
Russell looked at Arthur.
"You have no authority to detain me."
"Correct."
Arthur pressed a button on the desk phone.
Detective Mitchell entered from the conference room.
Russell's confidence finally broke.
"Arthur."
Arthur said nothing.
Mitchell approached.
"Mr. Crane, we'd like to ask you some questions."
Russell's phone buzzed.
The screen lit up before Marcus could stop it.
Arthur saw the message preview.
V: Do not say anything about Claire.
No one spoke.
Russell looked at the phone.
Then at Arthur.
Mitchell took one step closer.
"Mr. Crane, I recommend you come with us voluntarily."
Russell's shoulders dropped.
Arthur felt no satisfaction.
Only a deeper coldness.
Russell had known Claire.
The message meant Victoria had known Claire.
And both of them were afraid of what might be discovered about her death.
As police escorted Russell away, Arthur's chief financial officer, Naomi Ellis, entered.
She looked pale.
"Arthur, we have a problem."
He almost laughed.
"A new one?"
"I'm afraid so."
She handed him a folder.
"I traced the holding company receiving Lily's trust assets."
Arthur opened it.
The company was called Northstar Meridian LLC.
Victoria was listed as beneficial owner.
But beneath her name was another.
Arthur read it twice.
His father in law.
Thomas Lawson.
May you like
Victoria had told Arthur that Thomas died twelve years ago.
According to the records in front of him, Thomas Lawson had opened a corporate bank account three months earlier.
