Chapter 11 - THE RECORDING THAT DISAPPEARED
The lake house stood nearly two hours outside Chicago, surrounded by bare trees and a frozen stretch of water.
Claire insisted that we contact investigators before going anywhere near it.
By the time we arrived with a local officer, the front door had been forced open.
Inside, drawers had been emptied, cushions slashed, and framed photographs smashed against the floor.
The place looked as though someone had searched it in a hurry.
Beatrice waited beside the fireplace.
Her face was pale.
"I kept the recording here because Richard never came to this house anymore."
"Where is it now?" I asked.
"Someone took the original recorder. But I made a copy."
She reached into her coat and handed me a small memory card.
"Why didn't you give this to the police earlier?"
"Because I was afraid Richard would discover what I'd done."
I looked at her.
"Your fear has protected him for years."
She lowered her eyes.
"I know."
An investigator secured the scene while Claire arranged for the recording to be copied and authenticated.
We listened in a nearby office.
Richard's voice was unmistakable.
He discussed moving charitable funds through shell companies, transferring properties before creditors could intervene, and using Julian's signature to create a false trail.
Then another voice entered the recording.
Julian's.
He asked what would happen if Harper discovered the transactions.
Richard answered without hesitation.
"She'll take the blame. Her firm has handled enough invoices to make the story believable."
I closed my eyes.
Julian knew.
He had known that his father planned to frame me.
And he had continued signing documents.
The recording continued.
Richard mentioned the adoption records and the property trust inherited through my mother's family. He claimed that if I were discredited, he could challenge the trust's ownership and seize the remaining assets.
Beatrice began crying.
"I didn't know he was planning to frame you until I heard that recording."
I looked at her.
"But you knew about the money."
"Yes."
"And you knew Julian was having an affair."
She nodded.
"I thought I could keep him under control."
I took a slow breath.
"That's what everyone in this family says. You all thought you could control the damage instead of stopping it."
The officer entered with an update.
The stolen recorder had been located through a pawnshop report.
But the person who sold it had used identification belonging to Mia.
I looked at Beatrice.
"Where is Mia now?"
She checked her phone.
Her face drained of color.
"Mia was supposed to meet me here."
May you like
Then a message appeared on her screen.
I found the original files. If you want them, come alone.
