Chapter 18 - THE TRUTH ABOUT GERALD|
Margaret's confession came in fragments.
She admitted that she had moved money from the estate. She admitted that she had used Ethan's access to authorize transfers. She admitted that Preston Cole had prepared the forged documents.
But she denied having anything to do with my mother's medication.
Then she said something that changed the entire investigation.
"Gerald wasn't going to expose me," she whispered. "He was going to expose Victor."
I looked at her.
"Victor already admitted his part."
"There's more."
Daniel stepped forward.
"Explain."
Margaret sat on the nearest pew.
"Your father discovered that Victor had been diverting money for years. He wanted to report him. But Victor threatened to reveal that Gerald had approved a risky investment that nearly bankrupted the company."
"Did he approve it?"
"Yes. Gerald made a mistake. He covered it up because he thought he could repair the losses."
I felt a strange mixture of anger and disappointment.
"Why didn't he tell us?"
"Because he was ashamed."
Margaret continued.
"When your mother discovered the missing money, she thought I was responsible for everything. I was responsible for some of it. But Victor had started the scheme before I joined him."
"Why did you keep moving the money?"
"Because I was trapped."
"That doesn't excuse it."
"I know."
Her voice broke.
For the first time, she looked less like a villain and more like a woman who had run out of places to hide.
"Your mother wanted to tell you the truth. She said you deserved to know what your father had done."
"What happened to stop her?"
Margaret looked down.
"I didn't want her to tell you."
"Did you give her medication?"
"No."
"Did you arrange the clinic?"
She hesitated.
"I paid for consultations. I was told they were legitimate."
"By whom?"
"Preston."
Daniel exchanged a look with me.
"Did you know the doctor wasn't licensed?"
"No."
I studied her.
"Why should I believe you?"
"You shouldn't. Not without proof."
That was the first honest thing she had said.
She reached into her handbag and removed a small notebook.
"These are the payments. I kept them because Preston told me to destroy the records, but I was afraid he would blame everything on me."
Daniel took the notebook.
"Where is Preston now?"
Margaret shook her head.
"I don't know."
"Did you arrange his disappearance?"
"No."
She looked at me.
"But I know where he was going."
"Where?"
"To the bank."
Daniel's phone rang.
He listened, then turned toward us.
"The investigators have located Cole. He's attempting to withdraw funds from an account linked to Cedar Ridge Development."
Margaret closed her eyes.
"He'll run."
Daniel was already moving toward the door.
I looked at Margaret.
"You're coming with us."
She shook her head.
"I can't."
"You can explain everything to the investigators."
"Naomi, please."
I paused.
"What?"
She looked up, tears running down her face.
"I know you hate me."
"I don't hate you."
"You should."
I held her gaze.
"I don't need to hate you to hold you accountable."
May you like
Then I walked out.
Behind me, Margaret began to cry.
