Chapter 7 - THE OLD CHAPEL
The Whitmore estate had a small chapel at the edge of the garden. It had
not been used regularly since Margaret’s husband died.
Inside, the air smelled of dust and old wood. Sunlight fell through blue
stained glass, casting pale shapes across the stone floor.
Margaret walked to the front pew.
“Eleanor used to hide here when she was upset,” she said.
Emily examined the altar.
The key from the sewing box fit a small lock beneath the wooden lectern.
Inside was a metal case.
Margaret opened it with trembling hands.
There were account ledgers, copies of company transfers, and a series of
letters between Robert Whitmore and Richard. The documents showed that
money had been diverted from a charitable foundation into private
accounts.
Eleanor had discovered the transfers and threatened to report them.
One letter, written by Robert, was especially chilling.
Our daughter must be kept away from the records. Richard will handle it.
If she refuses to cooperate, send her somewhere she cannot contact the
press.
Margaret sank onto the pew.
“He used our son to do this.”
Emily opened another folder.
Inside were photographs of her mother at different ages. There was one
of Eleanor holding a newborn baby in a hospital room.
Emily.
On the back, her mother had written:
The only good thing that came from the worst year of my life.
Emily’s eyes filled.
Margaret reached for her hand.
“I should have protected her.”
“You didn’t know.”
“I should have known.”
A floorboard creaked behind them.
They turned.
Richard stood in the chapel doorway.
His face was pale with anger.
“Give me the case.”
Margaret stepped in front of Emily.
“No.”
“You have no idea what those documents will do.”
“They will tell the truth.”
“They will destroy the company.”
“Then we will rebuild it.”
Richard took a step forward.
One of the security officers appeared behind him.
“Mr. Whitmore, step away from the door.”
Richard looked toward the officer.
“You work for my family.”
“I work for Mrs. Whitmore.”
For the first time, Richard seemed uncertain.
He looked at Margaret.
“You would choose her over your own son?”
Margaret’s voice was quiet.
“You stopped being my son when you helped erase your sister.”
Richard’s expression broke.
“I was trying to keep everything together.”
“You were trying to keep everything for yourself.”
The officer asked him to leave the chapel. Richard turned and walked
away without another word.
Margaret closed the case.
“Take this to Daniel,” she said. “Make copies. Send them to the
investigators.”
Emily nodded.
But as they stepped outside, Margaret noticed a car waiting near the
garden gate.
May you like
It was not one of theirs.
And the driver was watching the chapel.
