Chapter 13 - THE DAUGHTER WHO TURNED AGAINST HER MOTHER
Savannah almost refused to meet Claire.
The memory of iced coffee spilling across Ethan’s shirt still made her furious.
But Claire had information about Margaret.
That changed everything.
They met inside a secure interview room with attorneys and investigators present.
Claire looked nothing like the arrogant woman from the lobby.
Her makeup was gone.
Her hands trembled.
And she had been crying.
Savannah sat across from her.
“Tell me what happened to my mother.”
Claire swallowed.
“My mother hired Dr. Hale.”
“I know that.”
“She told him Margaret was becoming confused and needed treatment.”
Savannah leaned forward.
“What treatment?”
Claire looked down.
“I don’t know exactly what he gave her. But I heard him arguing with my mother afterward.”
“About what?”
“He said the medication was dangerous. He said Margaret could die.”
Savannah felt a wave of nausea.
Claire began sobbing.
“I thought my mother was just trying to take over the company. I didn’t know she was willing to hurt someone.”
“Then why did you help her?”
Claire wiped her face.
“Because I was afraid of her.”
Savannah said nothing.
Claire continued.
“Everything I have came from my mother. The house. The cars. My job. She made sure I believed I was nothing without her.”
Savannah studied her.
Fear did not erase cruelty.
But it explained some of it.
“Why are you telling me now?”
Claire reached into her purse.
She placed a small digital recorder on the table.
“Because she’s planning to hurt Ethan.”
Savannah went still.
“What?”
“Daniel told her Ethan has the ledger. They’re trying to make him disappear before the court hearing.”
Ethan, who had been watching through the adjoining observation window, immediately alerted security.
Claire pressed play.
Linda’s voice filled the room.
“Once Cole is out of the way, the girl will have no one left to protect her.”
Then Daniel spoke.
“I’ll handle him.”
Savannah gripped the table.
Claire looked at her.
“There’s more.”
She slid a second document forward.
It was a private contract.
Signed by Linda Whitmore.
Signed by Daniel Brooks.
And witnessed by someone Savannah never expected.
Rebecca Mason.
Savannah’s best friend.
The woman who had helped her return to Denver.
May you like
The woman who had told her where to find her mother.
Rebecca had been working with Linda all along.
