Chapter 11 - LUCINDA RETURNS
Lucinda returned to the estate voluntarily the next morning.
That surprised everyone.
She arrived with two attorneys.
Her expression was calm.
Her clothing immaculate.
She walked into the drawing room as though she still owned part of the house.
Detective Cole sat opposite her.
Andrew stood near the windows.
Elizabeth remained upstairs with Alex.
Lucinda’s attorney spoke first.
“My client understands there are allegations regarding financial irregularities.”
Cole placed the Bellweather records on the table.
“Eight million dollars.”
Lucinda barely looked at them.
“I had authorization.”
“Forged authorization.”
“My lawyers will address that.”
Cole placed another folder down.
“Martin Vale.”
For the first time, Lucinda blinked.
“Martin and I worked together.”
“He’s dead.”
Lucinda slowly turned her eyes toward Cole.
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
“He wrote your name in a statement.”
Lucinda smiled faintly.
“Dead men write many things when they’re frightened.”
Andrew could no longer stay silent.
“You knew he was dead.”
Lucinda looked at him.
“I assumed he might be.”
“Why?”
“Because Martin made enemies.”
“So did Caroline.”
Lucinda’s eyes hardened.
Andrew placed the recovered pendant on the table inside an evidence bag.
Lucinda’s face drained of color.
It lasted less than a second.
But everyone saw it.
Cole leaned forward.
“We found the memory card.”
Lucinda said nothing.
“We heard the argument.”
Still nothing.
Andrew stepped closer.
“You told Caroline she should have left Henry buried.”
Lucinda turned toward him.
“I was angry.”
“You threatened her.”
“She threatened me.”
“You chased her onto the balcony.”
Lucinda stood.
Her lawyer touched her arm.
“Lucinda.”
She ignored him.
“She wanted to destroy this family.”
Andrew laughed once.
There was no humor in it.
“You stole from my son.”
“I built half of what your son will inherit.”
“No.”
Andrew shook his head.
“You spent your entire life taking things and calling it building.”
Lucinda stared at him.
Then she said something unexpected.
“You think Caroline was innocent?”
Andrew went still.
“She had Martin create a second copy of everything.”
“She planned to leave you.”
“That’s a lie.”
“She planned to take Alex.”
Andrew’s jaw tightened.
Lucinda smiled.
“Ask Elizabeth.”
Andrew turned.
Elizabeth stood in the doorway.
She had heard everything.
Lucinda looked delighted.
“Oh, she didn’t tell you that part?”
Andrew stared at Elizabeth.
Elizabeth’s face had gone pale.
“Caroline was considering leaving for a while.”
Andrew felt as though the floor moved beneath him.
“Why?”
Elizabeth looked at Lucinda.
“Because she was afraid Lucinda would come after Alex.”
Lucinda laughed.
Elizabeth continued.
“She wanted to take him somewhere safe while she gave the evidence to authorities.”
Andrew understood.
Not leaving him.
Leaving danger.
Lucinda’s smile vanished.
Cole stood.
“Lucinda Whitmore, you are under arrest for financial fraud, forgery, intimidation of a witness, and obstruction of justice.”
Lucinda did not resist.
As the officer approached, she looked toward Andrew.
“You still don’t understand.”
Andrew said nothing.
Lucinda smiled again.
“Caroline didn’t fall because of me.”
Andrew’s face changed.
Lucinda leaned closer.
May you like
“There was someone else on that balcony.”
Then the officers led her away.
