Chapter 8 - russell crane starts talking
Russell refused to speak with Arthur present.
Arthur waited behind observation glass.
Detective Mitchell sat across from Russell in a small interview room.
Russell looked ten years older than he had three days earlier.
His attorney sat beside him.
Mitchell placed a recorder on the table.
"You understand that nothing has been promised."
Russell nodded.
"I understand."
"Who ordered the transfer of Lily Bennett's trust assets?"
Russell looked toward the glass.
He could not see Arthur.
But Arthur felt as though he knew exactly where he stood.
"Harold Bennett."
Arthur felt no surprise.
Only confirmation.
Mitchell continued.
"When did you begin working with him?"
"Nine years ago."
"Why?"
Russell laughed bitterly.
"Money."
"How much?"
"At first? Fifty thousand."
"And later?"
"Millions."
Russell described the structure.
Harold believed Arthur's father had cheated him when control of Bennett Global passed to Arthur.
He wanted the company back.
But he could not defeat Arthur in a normal board vote.
Claire became the unexpected obstacle.
She discovered missing money.
She traced accounts.
She nearly exposed Russell.
So Harold sent Victoria.
At first, Victoria's job was simple.
Distract Claire.
Find documents.
Determine what she knew.
Then Claire became sick.
Mitchell leaned forward.
"Did Victoria cause Claire Bennett's illness?"
Russell looked down.
"I don't know."
Arthur's hands curled into fists.
Mitchell repeated the question.
Russell's voice became quieter.
"I know Harold wanted her stopped."
"How?"
"I don't know."
"That answer isn't helping you."
Russell rubbed his face.
"I delivered a package once."
Arthur stopped breathing.
"What package?"
Mitchell asked.
"Medication."
"To whom?"
"Victoria."
"When?"
"Three weeks before Claire was hospitalized for the final time."
Arthur stepped away from the glass.
Marcus caught his shoulder.
Arthur shook him off.
Inside the room, Russell continued.
"I thought they were switching medication."
"To what?"
"I don't know."
"Did you ask?"
"No."
"Why not?"
Russell looked at Mitchell.
"Because by then I understood that asking questions was dangerous."
Arthur returned to the glass.
Coward.
The word filled his mind.
Russell had known enough to be afraid.
But not enough to stop.
Mitchell asked about Lily.
Russell admitted that after Claire died, Harold's plan changed.
Claire's will placed a significant number of voting shares into Lily's trust.
Until Lily reached adulthood, those shares were controlled by an independent trustee.
That made them difficult to seize.
Then Harold discovered a vulnerability.
If Lily's legal guardian and the trustee agreed that restructuring was in the beneficiary's interest, the assets could be transferred.
Arthur was one guardian.
Victoria became the second after marriage.
The trustee was an elderly attorney named Samuel Price.
Arthur frowned.
Samuel had retired.
Daniel had told him Samuel suffered a stroke eight months earlier.
Russell continued.
They planned to replace Samuel's authority using a medical incapacity clause.
Then obtain Arthur's signature.
When Arthur did not cooperate, they forged it.
"But why abuse Lily?" Mitchell asked.
Russell looked confused.
"I don't know anything about that."
Arthur believed him.
That part belonged to Victoria.
It was not strategy.
It was cruelty.
Mitchell asked the final question.
"Why did Harold introduce Victoria to Arthur?"
Russell answered immediately.
"Access."
The word filled the room.
Access to the mansion.
Access to Arthur's documents.
Access to Lily.
Access to Claire's hidden evidence.
Access to the medical authorization.
Arthur walked outside.
He stood beneath gray clouds, breathing cold air.
Marcus joined him.
"Sir."
Arthur stared across the parking lot.
"My uncle sent her into my life."
"Yes."
"I married a weapon."
Marcus said nothing.
Arthur's phone rang.
Dr. Park.
He answered immediately.
"Is Lily okay?"
"Physically, yes."
Arthur heard concern in her voice.
"What happened?"
"Lily remembered something during therapy."
Arthur's stomach tightened.
"What?"
"Victoria used to take her somewhere."
"Where?"
"Lily doesn't know the address. She says it was a house with green shutters."
Arthur looked at Marcus.
"Why?"
Dr. Park paused.
"She said an old man asked her questions about you."
Arthur's blood turned cold.
"What old man?"
"Lily only remembers what Victoria called him."
May you like
Arthur waited.
"Uncle Harold."
