Chapter 5 - The First Person Caroline Told)
Madison stared at her for so long that Diane finally spoke.
“Your company?”
Caroline nodded.
Madison stood.
“You bought Dad’s loan?”
“A portion of it.”
“With what?”
“Money.”
“No kidding.”
“Madison.”
“How much money do you have?”
“That isn’t important.”
“It suddenly feels pretty damn important.”
Diane looked between her daughters.
“You own the bank loan?”
“Not exactly.”
Caroline explained the position.
She explained the covenant.
She explained that Richard owed Meridian approximately $6.4 million under the acquired tranche and that a failure to cure certain defaults would expand Meridian’s rights.
Diane listened quietly.
Madison did not.
“You could foreclose on him?”
“In certain circumstances.”
“Could you take the company?”
“No.”
“Could you take Westbridge?”
“Not by myself.”
“Could you ruin him?”
Caroline’s expression hardened.
“I didn’t buy the debt to ruin Dad.”
“Then why?”
“To stop him from transferring every remaining family asset into a hole he refuses to admit exists.”
Madison folded her arms.
“You could have told me.”
“I’m telling you now.”
“After I accidentally found out.”
“Yes.”
“Why keep it secret?”
“Because Dad would stop negotiating rationally the moment he knew I was involved.”
Madison gave her a look.
“Dad hasn’t negotiated rationally since 1998.”
Despite everything, Diane laughed.
It lasted only a second.
Then Caroline became serious.
“I need both of you to understand something. Nobody can tell him.”
Diane looked frightened.
“If he discovers this…”
“He eventually will.”
“When?”
“When I decide.”
Madison stared at Caroline.
“You sound scary.”
“Good.”
The humor disappeared.
Caroline turned to Diane.
“We also need to investigate anything you signed.”
Diane nodded reluctantly.
“And RHC Holdings?”
“That too.”
Their meeting ended just before dusk.
Caroline stayed at a hotel rather than the family home.
At 10:30 that evening, there was a knock on her door.
She looked through the peephole.
Rebecca.
Caroline opened the door but did not invite her inside.
“Aunt Rebecca.”
Rebecca wore a white blazer and enough jewelry to finance a small car.
“You’re difficult to find.”
“That is sometimes intentional.”
Rebecca smiled.
“You’ve always had Richard’s attitude.”
“Interesting. He says the same thing when he wants to insult me.”
Rebecca’s smile tightened.
“May I come in?”
“No.”
That surprised her.
“I only need five minutes.”
“You’re at two.”
Rebecca lowered her voice.
“Your father is under tremendous pressure.”
“So I hear.”
“He doesn’t need interference from someone who doesn’t understand the situation.”
“Did he send you?”
“No.”
“Then how did you know I’m here?”
Rebecca hesitated.
Caroline noticed.
“Aunt Rebecca.”
“What?”
“How did you know which hotel?”
“Your mother mentioned it.”
“She doesn’t know.”
Rebecca’s face changed for less than a second.
Enough.
Caroline said, “Goodnight.”
Rebecca put her hand against the door.
“Wait.”
Caroline looked at the hand.
Rebecca removed it.
“There are things happening around Richard’s company that are bigger than a family disagreement.”
“I agree.”
“You need to stop asking questions.”
Caroline stared at her.
“That’s an unusual thing for an innocent person to say.”
Rebecca’s jaw tightened.
“You think you’re clever because you advise a few companies.”
Caroline almost smiled.
There was the family version of her.
The harmless consultant.
Rebecca continued.
“You have no idea how complicated major development is.”
“I know enough to recognize eleven million dollars in questionable consulting payments.”
Rebecca went absolutely still.
Caroline watched the change.
It answered more than any words could.
Then Rebecca recovered.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Cardinal Municipal Partners.”
Rebecca’s lips parted.
Caroline continued.
“Would you like me to say the amount again?”
“You accessed confidential records.”
“No.”
“Richard will sue you.”
“Then discovery should be entertaining.”
Rebecca stepped closer.
“You need to be extremely careful.”
“Is that advice?”
“Yes.”
“It sounded like a threat.”
Rebecca smiled.
“Take it however you want.”
Caroline closed the door.
Then immediately called Evan.
“Rebecca knows I’m investigating.”
“How?”
“Someone is monitoring either Mom, Madison or me.”
“That’s a strong assumption.”
“She knew my hotel.”
“Did anyone else?”
“You.”
“I’m in New York.”
“I know.”
“Change rooms.”
“I will.”
“And Caroline?”
“Yes?”
“If Richard’s sister is receiving eight-figure transfers from distressed project entities, this may be more than financial mismanagement.”
“I know.”
“Do we pause the debt strategy?”
Caroline looked through the hotel window.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because somebody just came to my room to make me afraid.”
Evan was quiet.
May you like
Caroline continued.
“That usually means I’m finally looking in the right direction.”
