Chapter 5 - THE POLICY ON HER LIFE
The insurance policy was not automatically sinister.
Businesses sometimes insure people tied to obligations.
But Elena was not tied legally if her signature was forged.
So why insure her?
Application claimed:
Elena was a principal strategic advisor whose death could impair repayment.
False.
Medical authorization signature:
Also questionable.
Monica immediately contacted insurer through counsel.
Investigation opened.
Julian denied knowledge.
Vanessa blamed a broker.
Broker produced emails.
Vanessa requested the policy.
Julian approved premium.
Not murder.
No dramatic plot.
Something more ordinary and ugly.
They wanted the lender comfortable.
Elena’s life became another asset in their paperwork.
She felt less frightened than insulted.
Then Monica said:
“Tomorrow is day four.”
Elena nodded.
Friday approached.
Lender had scheduled restructuring conference.
Julian believed Elena would attend and sign.
She would attend.
With counsel.
Before that, Elena had work.
Salon Four.
Secret project.
Not secret because she was hiding money.
Secret because Julian never asked.
She had spent eighteen months negotiating a flagship training academy and salon in downtown Austin.
Clara Institute.
Named for the woman who taught her.
Lease signed.
Funding secured.
No marital guarantee.
Independent bank.
Opening announcement Friday morning.
Same day Julian expected her signature.
The academy would train stylists in advanced techniques, business management, and financial literacy.
Elena had personally invested.
But investors also came from clients who respected her.
Executives.
Attorneys.
Doctors.
Women Julian once dismissed as “your hair friends.”
One investor:
Dr. Samantha Price.
Senior vice president at Julian’s pharmaceutical company.
When Elena told Monica, her attorney laughed.
“Does Julian know?”
“No.”
“Does Samantha know Julian’s situation?”
“Not unless publicly required.”
Good.
No revenge networking.
Then Samantha called Elena personally.
Not about affair.
Business.
“We’re announcing the employee wellness partnership Friday.”
Clara Institute had won a corporate contract to provide beauty and wellness services at conferences.
Client?
Julian’s pharmaceutical company.
Elena almost said no from conflict.
Samantha explained procurement was completed independently months ago.
Contract legally reviewed.
Fine.
The company valued Elena’s business even if her husband did not.
Friday morning would be interesting.
Then Thursday night, Vanessa returned to the house.
Angry.
“Elena, we need to stop acting childish.”
Elena stared.
“You’re in my kitchen.”
“We need your signature.”
There it was.
“Why?”
“To protect Julian.”
“From what?”
Vanessa hesitated.
Then:
“If Caspian collapses, he could lose everything.”
“And me?”
Silence.
Exactly.
Elena asked:
“Why did you put a life insurance policy on me?”
Vanessa’s face drained.
Julian entered behind her.
“What?”
He truly did not know the specific detail?
Interesting.
Vanessa turned.
“Julian—”
He looked at her.
“What policy?”
Now both sides had secrets.
May you like
Vanessa had apparently gone further than Julian realized.
And day five was only hours away.
