Chapter 8 - THE HOUSEKEEPER'S SECRET|
The housekeeper's name was Margaret Ellis.
She had worked for Beatrice for seventeen years, knew every room in the old house, and had been present when Camille learned to ride a bicycle on the gravel driveway.
Camille could not imagine Margaret stealing legal documents.
But she also knew that people could hide things behind familiar faces.
Everett's investigators located Margaret at a motel outside Savannah.
Camille insisted on speaking with her herself.
They found her sitting on the edge of a bed, fully dressed, with a suitcase beside her.
When Camille entered, Margaret began to cry.
"Oh, sweetheart."
"Why did you leave?"
Margaret covered her face.
"I didn't know what else to do."
"Did you take Grandma's papers?"
"No. I swear."
"Then why would someone accuse you?"
Margaret looked toward Everett.
He remained near the doorway.
"Can we talk alone?" she asked.
Camille nodded to him.
Everett stepped outside without protest.
Margaret reached into her handbag and pulled out a small flash drive.
"Your father gave me this."
Camille stared at it.
"When?"
"Three weeks ago. He said it contained copies of your grandmother's medical records. He wanted me to put it in her desk."
"Did you?"
"No. I opened it."
"Why?"
"Because your father told me not to let anyone else see it."
Margaret's hands trembled.
"There were documents about the trust. Emails. A recording."
Camille felt her stomach tighten.
"What recording?"
Margaret swallowed.
"Your father talking to Mr. Briarwood."
She handed Camille the drive.
The recording was short, but the voices were unmistakable.
Nathan spoke first.
"Once Camille signs, we can move the shares without Beatrice finding out."
Russell answered.
"And if she refuses?"
"She won't. She thinks she's saving the hotels."
A pause.
Then Russell said, "What about the old woman?"
Nathan's voice dropped.
"She won't be a problem much longer."
Camille stopped the recording.
Her hands were cold.
"What did he mean?"
Margaret shook her head.
"I don't know. But the next day, your grandmother's medication schedule was changed."
Camille stood.
"Who changed it?"
"Your father brought a new nurse. He said the old one had been dismissed."
"Did Grandma get sick?"
"She became confused. Very confused. She couldn't remember conversations, and sometimes she couldn't stay awake."
Camille felt sick.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Margaret began sobbing.
"Because I was afraid. He said he would have me arrested for stealing if I spoke."
Camille looked at the flash drive.
This was no longer simply about a business deal.
Her father might have deliberately endangered her grandmother.
Everett returned when he heard the chair scrape.
"What happened?"
Camille handed him the drive.
"Get this copied and secured."
He looked at her face.
"Camille?"
She swallowed.
"I want to go home."
On the drive back, her phone rang.
It was the nursing facility.
May you like
Beatrice had been taken to the emergency department.
And the doctor wanted to speak to Camille immediately.
