Chapter 12 - THE OTHER WOMAN’S PRICE
Nora ended the call by giving Chloe one instruction.
“Get your own attorney. Have that attorney contact me or Detective Ortiz.”
Elena stared at her.
“What if she runs?”
“Then investigators handle it. You are not meeting her in a parking lot.”
Two hours later, an attorney called on Chloe’s behalf.
By evening, the documents had reached the investigators.
Copies came to Nora through proper channels.
The contract was ugly in its simplicity.
Chloe would identify wealthy clients and make introductions through charity events and private social clubs. Julian would pay her a percentage of resulting consulting revenue.
Elena’s name had been added in a handwritten amendment.
So had a bonus tied to marriage.
She read it without crying.
Some pain came too deep for tears.
“He bought the introduction.”
Nora nodded.
“The document supports that.”
“And she came to our house to finish collecting.”
Chloe’s statement described the plan more fully.
Julian had expected quick access to Elena’s trust. When the trustees limited what he could touch, he pressured Elena to request distributions herself.
As the money tightened, he pursued the estate.
The pregnancy delayed his plans.
Elena looked up.
“Delayed.”
That was what her baby had been to him.
A scheduling problem.
Nora waited until Elena set the pages down.
“There’s more.”
Julian had told Chloe that once Elena appeared unstable, nobody would trust her account of the financial documents.
The residential-care company had been used to invoice supposed evaluations and support services that Elena never received.
Dr. Bell had provided a letter after Julian promised him a share of future business.
Investigators still had to verify every claim.
But they now knew where to look.
Gabriel stood.
“I need air.”
Elena watched him go, then turned to Nora.
“Make sure he doesn’t do something stupid.”
“He asked his attorney to meet him downstairs.”
That answer surprised her.
Outside the window, her father sat on a bench with an older man in a gray suit.
No shouting.
No hurried orders.
Just a conversation he clearly didn’t want to have.
Later, Gabriel returned.
“I’ve authorized full disclosure of the loan records.”
“Even if people start asking about other things?”
“Yes.”
Elena nodded.
“Thank you.”
Then her abdomen tightened.
She waited for it to pass.
It didn’t.
Dr. Shah arrived within minutes.
A nurse adjusted the monitor. Another checked Elena’s blood pressure.
The room changed around her.
Focused voices.
Quick hands.
May you like
Dr. Shah met her eyes.
“We need to move you to labor and delivery now.”
