Chapter 5 - THE THIRD OWNER
Halcyon’s remaining fifty percent belonged to Cross Meridian Holdings.
Mara knew the name Cross before Naomi finished the sentence.
Evelyn Cross.
Her family lawyer.
The woman who had attended Mara’s mother’s funeral.
Who had explained the trust to Mara when she turned twenty-five.
Who constantly warned her:
“Emotion is expensive.”
Evelyn did not deny ownership.
She called it a passive investment.
She had disclosed “certain advisory interests” to Conrad.
Not to Mara.
Conflict.
Huge.
Then Evelyn fought back.
“The hotel must be sold.”
She brought numbers.
Deferred maintenance.
Insurance pressure.
Union negotiations.
The building was deteriorating.
Mara’s refusal to sell had cost the trust approximately six million dollars in two years.
That was real.
Evelyn said:
“You are acting like exposing our conflict makes the financial problem disappear.”
Mara hated her.
Because again:
True.
Naomi asked:
“Why hide your ownership?”
Evelyn answered:
“Because Mara would reject any proposal associated with Conrad before reading it.”
Mara almost objected.
Then stopped.
Would she?
Probably.
That honesty mattered.
Then Naomi showed Evelyn the recording.
Evelyn’s face changed.
“I knew nothing about this.”
“Do you expect us to believe that?”
“I helped design a legal intervention plan.”
Mara froze.
“Legal?”
Evelyn nodded.
“Ryan told me you were mixing medication and alcohol.”
False.
“He asked what documents would allow a temporary trustee transition if you entered treatment.”
“So you drafted them.”
“Yes.”
“Did you know they planned to stage photographs?”
“No.”
Maybe true.
Then Mara asked:
“If I went into treatment, would you vote to sell?”
Evelyn looked straight at her.
“Yes.”
No shame.
Then Naomi produced another document.
Evelyn’s firm would receive a $1.8 million transaction fee if Halcyon closed.
Evelyn’s mouth tightened.
Mara leaned forward.
“Everybody gets paid if I disappear.”
Evelyn replied:
“Everybody gets paid if a transaction closes.”
The distinction again.
Then Mara’s forensic analyst called.
The recording on her phone was continuous.
No edits.
No gaps.
Good.
But there was more.
Audio enhancement captured a whispered sentence just before Mara opened her eyes.
Conrad:
“Once the pictures are attached, Evelyn can certify the review.”
May you like
Mara stared at Evelyn.
And Evelyn finally looked afraid.
