Chapter 40 - The Recording He Expected
Richard laughed when Nora revealed the recorder.
He had expected it.
Before dinner, his security system had detected the device, and every statement he made had been carefully phrased. He had described capabilities without confessing to crimes.
“You came here believing I would lose control,” he said. “Adrian made the same mistake.”
Nora kept her expression calm.
The recording had never been the plan.
Beatrice had entered the house wearing a court-authorized listening device connected to federal investigators. Richard knew Nora might record him, but he had never imagined his sister would cooperate with authorities.
More importantly, the copied rabbit contained material used only in Richard’s private manufacturing facility.
Investigators could trace it.
Richard looked toward Beatrice.
“You chose her over your family?”
Beatrice’s voice shook.
“I chose my granddaughter.”
Federal agents entered the dining room.
Richard was detained for questioning, but not arrested. His statements were suggestive rather than conclusive, and possessing a copied toy was not a serious crime.
Yet the search warrant produced something unexpected.
In Richard’s private office, agents found a list of the twenty-seven claimant families.
Beside each name was a number.
Camille first assumed the figures were settlement amounts.
They were dates.
Three had already passed.
On each date, the listed family had experienced an emergency: a business fire, a false arrest or a sudden tax investigation.
The next date was tomorrow.
Beside it was Nora Whitmore’s name.
Agents placed Briarwood under protection.
Richard was released late that night because prosecutors could not connect him directly to the incidents.
He returned home and gave a brief statement to reporters.
“Nora Whitmore is creating fear to gain control of a company she does not understand.”
At Briarwood, every door and window was checked.
Security vehicles blocked both entrances.
Nothing happened at midnight.
Nothing happened at sunrise.
At nine, Camille received a notice from family court.
An anonymous report accused Nora of endangering Elsie by keeping her in a house connected to arson, threats and criminal investigations.
A judge had ordered an emergency welfare hearing.
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The date beside Nora’s name had not predicted an attack on the house.
Richard was trying to take her child.
