Chapter 8 - THE GIRL WHO DIED WITH EMILY’S NAME
Modern forensic testing identified the guesthouse victim through a surviving tooth. Her name was Molly Reed, nine years old, reported missing from a foundation shelter two days before the fire.
Molly’s mother, Sarah Reed, had accused Family Renewal of moving children without parental consent. Police dismissed her complaint after William Hale’s attorneys produced documents showing voluntary surrender.
The signatures were forged.
Molly had likely been brought to the estate as a witness or leverage. How she died remained unclear. Fire investigators found accelerant near the guesthouse door, but no proof identified who set it.
Rebecca used Sarah Reed’s name when hiding Emily because Molly’s mother had disappeared and the identity appeared inactive.
“Your mother replaced one missing girl with another,” Grant said.
Victoria corrected him. “She protected Emily.”
“She also allowed Molly to remain unidentified for thirty years.”
The distinction mattered. Rebecca might have saved one child while failing another.
Charles discovered that the E.H. provision in the will required more than locating Emily. If evidence showed the foundation profited from illegal placements, controlling shares would transfer to a restitution trust for affected families. Emily’s appearance would trigger an independent audit.
Victoria’s inheritance was therefore tied to a scandal capable of dismantling the institution that defined her.
That evening, Nathan Pierce asked Victoria to sign a board resolution delaying the E.H. search until after the luncheon.
“Protect the foundation first,” he urged. “Then find your sister privately.”
The sentence sounded exactly like William.
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Victoria refused.
Within hours, an anonymous account leaked the story that Victoria Hale was hunting a homeless mother and child to protect her fortune.
