The Song in the Dark

By dawn, the local police and Andrew’s high-profile legal counsel had arrived at Hawthorne Manor.

Detective Inspector Harris sat at the library desk, reviewing the ledger documents brought by courier from Zurich. The room was tense, the air thick with the smell of stale coffee and legal briefings.

""These records are authentic, Mr. Hawthorne,"" Inspector Harris stated, setting down a stamped Swiss bank transcript. ""There are recurring monthly transfers from the Vance Trust to the private account of the late Dr. Richard Vance, flagged as 'Medical Discretionary Retainers.' The dates coincide exactly with Mrs. Hawthorne’s confinement.""

Evelyn sat on the sofa opposite them, flanked by her private attorney. Her regal arrogance had collapsed into sullen silence.

""My client has no direct knowledge of her late father’s private financial arrangements,"" Evelyn’s attorney stated defensively.

""Your client signed the third authorization protocol when her father suffered a stroke two years ago,"" Claire’s attorney, Mr. Sterling, countered, sliding a secondary notarized document across the desk. ""Her signature released the funds to maintain the false registry in Geneva.""

Inspector Harris stood up, adjusting his badge. ""Ms. Vance, you will need to accompany us to the precinct for formal questioning regarding conspiracy, unlawful confinement, and insurance fraud.""

As the officers escorted Evelyn toward the foyer, she turned back, looking at Andrew with bitter resentment. ""She was weak, Andrew! She couldn't handle your world! I could have given you an empire!""