“Why is Victoria named in Eleanor’s video?” I asked.
“She worked for me years ago. That doesn’t prove anything.”
“She accessed my private medical records.”
“I did not instruct her to do that.”
Victoria stared at him.
“You said the petition was only a precaution.”
Nathan turned toward her.
“Stop talking.”
A detective heard him.
Grace returned with another document from Eleanor’s drawer.
Before her death, Eleanor had placed twelve million dollars into an independent trust for Noah.
The money came from shares she inherited from her mother’s family.
I was the primary trustee.
But if I became medically or legally unable to care for Noah, one person had authority to block every withdrawal until a court appointed a replacement.
Grace Bennett.
I looked at her.
“You weren’t simply hired after Eleanor died.”
Grace shook her head.
“She was my closest friend. I’m Noah’s godmother.”
“Why did neither of you tell me?”
“Eleanor believed someone inside your family was monitoring everyone close to her. She asked me to enter the house as an employee after her death so Nathan would underestimate me.”
Nathan’s expression changed.
That was why Victoria wanted Grace removed.
If Grace was fired, arrested, or accused of hurting Noah, Nathan could petition the court to replace her as trust protector.
Victoria’s attempt to provoke Grace had not begun in the hallway.
For months, she accused Grace of stealing jewelry, mishandling money, and encouraging Noah to reject her.
That afternoon, she tried to create a scene in which Grace appeared violent.
Nathan looked at Victoria.
“You told me Grace didn’t know.”
“You told me Eleanor destroyed the trust papers,” Victoria replied.
The police heard every word.
Then Grace played the final portion of Eleanor’s video.
My wife appeared holding a prescription bottle.
“Nathan switched Daniel’s heart medication,” she said. “If I die suddenly, test the pill I gave Grace.”