Chapter 10 - THE CASE NAOMI INHERITED
Keller Strategic Resolution had existed before Naomi owned it.
Founder:
Marian Keller.
Naomi’s aunt.
Marian died three years earlier.
Naomi bought the firm from the estate.
Old client files were sealed and archived.
Eleanor Waverly’s file required special legal review before opening.
Why?
Client privilege.
Confidentiality.
Naomi could not simply read it because Claire was related.
Good.
Claire hated the delay.
Then Eleanor’s estate trustee waived privilege for limited purposes after learning the current case involved related governance issues.
The file opened.
Subject:
Preston Waverly.
Investigation type:
Undisclosed related-party activity and coercive governance.
Claire stared.
Her grandmother had investigated her own son.
Years before.
Then one page:
Concern that Preston is using foundation resources to conceal financial exposure tied to Austin.
Another:
Meredith actively assists narrative management.
Nothing new in pattern.
Then a final tab:
DEATH OF ROBERT WAVERLY.
Claire froze.
Robert was Preston’s younger brother.
Claire’s uncle.
He died in a boating accident twelve years earlier.
Family story:
Night.
Alcohol.
Bad weather.
Tragic.
The Keller file questioned whether financial records were altered after his death.
Not whether he was murdered.
Important.
Robert had been foundation treasurer.
Three weeks before the accident, he requested a review of related-party payments.
Same pattern.
Then Marian Keller’s notes:
Eleanor fears Robert’s death created an opportunity for Preston to consolidate authority before inquiry completed.
No proof of foul play.
But governance concern.
Then one document.
Robert emailed Eleanor:
If anything happens to me, look at Crown East predecessor accounts.
Claire’s current case suddenly reached backward twelve years.
Crown East Renewal did not exist then.
Its predecessor entity did.
Same family.
Same money routes.
Then Naomi looked at Claire.
“This may not be about revenge anymore.”
Claire stared.
“It was never only revenge.”
Then one more note appeared.
Eleanor had planned to remove Preston as executive chair.
Meeting date:
May you like
Two days after Robert’s death.
The meeting never happened.
