Chapter 9 - THE FOUR MILLION DOLLAR LIE
Diane Bennett hadn't borrowed four million dollars to save her company.
That was what the financial records suggested.
Instead, Bennett Events had apparently transferred the same amount into an account connected to Catherine Cole's old trust.
A trust Richard Harper controlled.
Nora stared at the statement.
"My mother told me we were drowning in debt."
I nodded.
"That may still be true. But the transactions need explaining."
She looked toward the window.
For years, she'd believed Diane was demanding because she wanted her daughters to succeed.
Now Nora was beginning to wonder whether her mother had been hiding something far more serious.
"Do you think Mom knew?"
"I don't know."
That wasn't the answer she wanted.
But it was the truth.
We arranged a meeting with Diane and independent attorneys.
Miles wasn't invited.
Richard Harper wasn't invited.
Nora had made one condition clear.
For once, she wanted to speak with her mother without either man controlling the conversation.
Diane arrived looking exhausted.
Her makeup was perfect.
But her hands trembled when she placed her purse on the table.
"Nora."
"Mom."
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then Nora placed the bank statement before her.
"Explain this."
Diane's face drained.
"Where did you get it?"
"That's not an answer."
Diane closed her eyes.
"I was trying to protect the company."
"By forging my signature?"
Her mother's eyes filled.
"I didn't forge it."
Nora froze.
"What?"
Diane shook her head.
"Miles brought me the documents already signed."
I leaned forward.
"Did you verify that Nora had authorized them?"
Diane looked down.
"No."
Nora's voice broke.
"You didn't even ask me?"
"I'm sorry."
She began crying.
"I thought you would agree eventually."
The room went silent.
Then Diane explained the company's problems.
A major client had canceled several events.
A property renovation exceeded its budget.
Cash flow tightened.
Richard Harper offered financing.
But the agreement contained complicated conditions she didn't fully understand.
She signed anyway.
Then Miles began pressuring her to encourage Nora into marriage.
"He said it would protect the family," Diane whispered.
Nora stared.
"And you believed him?"
Diane wiped her tears.
"I wanted to."
That admission hurt more than another lie would have.
Nora lowered her head.
For a long time, nobody spoke.
Then Diane reached into her purse.
She removed a small black flash drive.
"Miles gave me this last week."
I frowned.
"What is it?"
"He said it contained the company's financial restructuring plan."
Nora looked at it.
"Have you opened it?"
Diane shook her head.
"He told me not to."
I exchanged a look with the attorney.
The device was handled through an independent forensic examiner.
Its contents were more alarming than expected.
Several files contained proposed property transfers.
Others listed payments to shell companies.
Then one folder caught our attention.
It was labeled:
COLE SUCCESSION PLAN.
My stomach tightened.
Inside was a document proposing the removal of my controlling interests in Cole Development.
The intended beneficiary was Richard Harper.
May you like
And beneath the authorization appeared my signature.
A signature I'd never written.
