Chapter 2 - THE HUMANE LEGACY
The Carter Humane Legacy Foundation had existed for eleven years.
Public mission:
animal rescue,
low-cost veterinary grants,
shelter support,
emergency foster funding.
Margaret was its chair.
Her late husband, James Carter, had funded the first $6 million.
Emily had always assumed her mother merely enjoyed the attention.
Magazine photos.
Gala speeches.
Charity luncheons.
Rescue-dog calendars.
Margaret loved being photographed beside animals she never touched when cameras were off.
Emily considered it hypocrisy.
Not fraud.
Until the morning after the lake incident.
A foundation donor named Susan Bell called.
“I saw what happened.”
Emily closed her eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
“You don’t need to apologize.”
Susan paused.
Then:
“Have you ever looked at the foundation’s expenses?”
Emily frowned.
“No.”
“You should.”
“Why?”
Susan hesitated.
“Because your mother’s lake house appears on the foundation books.”
Emily stared at the kitchen wall.
“What?”
“Not as a house.”
“As an event and donor-retreat facility.”
That was technically possible.
Then Susan said:
“The foundation paid for yesterday.”
Emily looked down at Buddy sleeping beside her.
May you like
“How much?”
“More than you think.”
