Chapter 5 - THE PERSON WHO HELPED HER
Celeste did not build the plan alone.
The draft resolutions came from attorney Preston Hale.
Sixty-one.
Trust specialist.
Friend of Evelyn’s father.
When questioned, Preston denied wrongdoing.
He said Celeste requested hypothetical succession documents.
That was not illegal.
He said she claimed Evelyn’s health had become unstable.
That was plausible.
He said she wanted to understand what would happen if tragedy struck.
Also plausible.
Then investigators found his invoice descriptions.
Urgent pre-event succession preparation.
Pre-event.
What event?
Preston said he meant “possible medical event.”
That answer sounded rehearsed.
Then came an email.
Celeste to Preston:
If tonight goes the way I expect, I will need signatures ready before markets open.
Preston replied:
Understood. Once incapacity is documented, we can move quickly.
Mara read it twice.
“Does that make him part of the poisoning?”
“No.”
Evelyn looked at her.
“You’re sure?”
“No. I’m saying it doesn’t prove that.”
Important distinction.
Preston may have believed Celeste expected Evelyn’s condition to worsen naturally.
Or he may have known more.
May you like
The evidence would decide.
Not anger.
