Chapter 14 - REBECCA’S DARKEST SECRET
Margaret’s claim seemed impossible.
Rebecca had been seventeen when Evelyn Hale died.
Martin hadn’t met Rebecca until later.
But federal agents recovered old letters from Evelyn’s attorney.
Rebecca’s name appeared.
Lucy stared at the document.
“No.”
Martin looked equally confused.
The attorney explained.
“Rebecca interned at Evelyn Hale’s legal firm during high school.”
Lucy remembered.
“My mother said she worked in an office before college.”
Martin whispered,
“She knew my mother?”
The recovered letter was written by Evelyn.
Rebecca Carter has been helping me organize records regarding Charles’s financial misconduct.
Martin sat down.
Rebecca had discovered Charles Hale’s fraud before she ever met Martin.
Scarlett whispered,
“So Mom knew Grandma?”
Lucy shook her head.
“Apparently.”
Another letter changed everything.
Evelyn wrote:
If anything happens to me, Rebecca has copies.
Martin closed his eyes.
“Charles knew Rebecca had evidence.”
Lucy understood.
“That’s why he hated her from the beginning.”
Martin nodded.
“He wasn’t protecting me from a relationship.”
“He was protecting himself.”
The final recording from Box 417 was successfully restored.
Rebecca’s young voice filled the room.
“I didn’t kill Evelyn.”
Martin froze.
The recording continued.
“But I gave her the medication.”
Lucy covered her mouth.
Martin stared at the speaker.
Rebecca sounded terrified.
“Evelyn asked me to pick up her prescription because she believed Charles was monitoring her.”
Martin whispered,
“No.”
Rebecca continued.
“I collected the bottle from the pharmacy.”
Lucy’s eyes filled.
“She gave it to Evelyn.”
Then another voice appeared.
Evelyn.
“You did nothing wrong, Rebecca.”
Rebecca cried.
“But the pills—”
“They were switched after you delivered them.”
Martin leaned forward.
Evelyn continued.
“I know because I photographed the original tablets.”
Scarlett whispered,
“She knew.”
Evelyn said,
“If Charles finds this recording, he will kill you too.”
Martin’s face twisted.
The recording ended.
Lucy looked at Margaret.
“Charles used my mother as cover.”
Margaret said nothing.
“You told Martin Rebecca caused Evelyn’s death.”
Margaret smiled.
“He never heard that story.”
Martin stared.
“What?”
Margaret looked at him.
“Rebecca did.”
Lucy understood.
“They used it to control Mom.”
Margaret nodded.
“We told her if she ever returned, evidence would make it look like she poisoned Evelyn.”
Lucy whispered,
“So she stayed away.”
“For years.”
Martin punched the table.
“She believed I would hate her.”
Margaret shrugged.
“She believed what we needed her to believe.”
Lucy’s voice broke.
“You stole her entire life.”
Margaret smiled.
“She was poor. Brilliant. emotional.”
Lucy stepped toward her.
“And she still beat you.”
Margaret’s smile disappeared.
Federal agents entered.
“Margaret Hale, you’re being charged with conspiracy, attempted murder, fraud, witness tampering—”
Margaret laughed.
“You’re all celebrating too soon.”
Martin looked at her.
“What now?”
Margaret turned toward Lucy.
“Your ownership claim expires tomorrow.”
The room went silent.
The attorney frowned.
“What?”
Margaret smiled.
“Read the original charter.”
They did.
There was a clause.
If Rebecca or her lawful heir failed to assert patent ownership within eighteen years of the disputed transfer, ownership automatically passed to Hale Meridian.
Lucy stared at the date.
The deadline.
Tomorrow.
At noon.
Scarlett whispered,
“She has less than twenty-four hours.”
The attorney nodded.
Martin said,
“Then file tonight.”
The attorney’s face tightened.
“We can’t.”
“Why?”
“The original patent registration page is missing.”
Lucy stared.
“It was in Box 417.”
“No.”
The attorney checked.
“The copy was there.”
“Where’s the original?”
Margaret smiled.
Lucy turned toward her.
“You took it.”
Margaret shook her head.
“Victor did.”
Martin’s face hardened.
“Where is he?”
Federal agents answered.
“In protective custody.”
Lucy grabbed her coat.
“Then we’re going.”
They reached Victor shortly after midnight.
He looked exhausted.
Lucy sat opposite him.
“I need the patent page.”
Victor smiled.
“You need a lot of things.”
Scarlett slammed both hands on the table.
“Stop playing games!”
Victor laughed.
Lucy remained calm.
“My mother is dead.”
His expression changed.
“Elaine is dead.”
Victor looked away.
“You lost Scarlett.”
Victor looked at her.
Scarlett said,
“You’re not my father.”
His face cracked.
Scarlett continued.
“Martin is.”
Victor lowered his eyes.
Lucy leaned forward.
“You have one chance to do something that isn’t selfish.”
Victor stared at her.
“You think I can undo this?”
“No.”
“Then why should I help?”
Lucy answered,
“Because Rebecca believed people could change.”
Victor laughed weakly.
“She hated me.”
“Yes.”
“Then don’t use her.”
“I’m not.”
Lucy’s eyes hardened.
“I’m giving you a chance she never got.”
Silence.
Victor finally whispered,
“The original patent page is inside Charles’s old house.”
Martin frowned.
“The lake house?”
Victor nodded.
“Hidden behind Evelyn’s portrait.”
Scarlett stood.
“Let’s go.”
Victor stopped them.
“There’s one problem.”
Lucy turned.
“What?”
Victor looked at the clock.
May you like
“Margaret knows where it is too.”
Then every light in the building went out.
