Chapter 5 - Adrian Cross
Los Angeles detectives reopened preliminary review of Caroline’s death.
They made no promises.
A six-year-old crash investigation with a destroyed vehicle was difficult.
But the new recording justified another look.
Adrian Cross became their first priority.
He was forty-seven, partner at Whitmore & Cross, specializing in trusts and private-client litigation.
He denied speaking with Bianca.
Then detectives played his voice.
His attorney ended the interview.
Daniel wanted to confront him.
Peter stopped him.
“You are a witness now. Behave like one.”
“I’m also Lily’s father.”
“That makes restraint more important.”
Daniel hated lawyers most when they were correct.
Meanwhile Hale Soundworks was preparing for its largest deal in company history.
Aurora Entertainment had offered $118 million for a controlling stake.
The agreement would eliminate Daniel’s business debt and leave him wealthy enough to secure Lily’s future without touching her trust.
Bianca had pushed hardest for the deal.
Daniel finally understood why.
The closing documents contained a personal estate-planning package.
Hidden among them was Lily’s guardianship amendment.
Bianca needed the sale completed because Daniel would receive approximately $46 million in cash.
If she controlled Lily’s trust too, she could gain influence over more than $100 million in combined family assets.
Peter asked, “Do you still intend to close?”
Daniel looked at the contract.
“If I walk away, the company could breach its senior lending covenant.”
“How much?”
“Thirty-one million outstanding.”
Bianca knew that too.
She had timed everything around his vulnerability.
Grace entered with Lily’s headphones.
“I found something.”
Inside the left ear cushion was a tiny memory card.
Daniel stared.
“Caroline put that there?”
“Maybe.”
They inserted it into a computer.
Five audio files.
Caroline had always preferred recording notes to typing them.
The first file was dated twelve days before her death.
“Daniel,” Caroline’s voice began, “if you ever hear this, I need you to listen instead of arguing with me for once.”
Daniel shut his eyes.
Grace looked away.
Caroline continued.
“I discovered unauthorized access to Lily’s Reed trust. Someone copied draft beneficiary documents from Mercer Private Wealth.”
A paper rustled.
“The access credentials belong to Bianca Cross.”
Daniel’s hand tightened.
“I don’t know her personally. Adrian Cross says his ex-wife used to work there but claims she left months ago.”
Daniel looked at Grace.
Bianca and Adrian were already divorced then.
Caroline continued:
“Adrian offered to help investigate privately. I don’t trust him.”
Daniel stopped the file.
“He approached Caroline.”
Grace nodded.
“And six years later his firm drafted your papers.”
The second recording revealed more.
Caroline had discovered that Bianca downloaded information about Daniel’s finances.
His company.
His mortgage.
His insurance.
His touring schedule.
“She researched me before Caroline died.”
Grace whispered, “Before she ever met you.”
The third file made Daniel stand up.
Caroline said:
“I saw Bianca Cross outside our house today.”
Then:
“She was wearing a white coat.”
Grace gasped.
Daniel stared at her.
The memory was real.
The fourth file contained Caroline arguing with Adrian.
“You told Bianca about Lily’s trust.”
Adrian denied it.
Caroline replied:
“Then explain why she downloaded Daniel’s insurance policy.”
Daniel paused the audio.
Insurance.
He had carried a $15 million key-person policy six years ago.
Lily had been beneficiary through trust.
After he married Bianca, the policy was increased to $30 million.
Bianca became partial spouse beneficiary.
The fifth file began inside a car.
Caroline sounded breathless.
“Someone opened the diagnostic port again.”
Daniel’s heart pounded.
“I’m going to the police tomorrow.”
Then a second voice entered the recording unexpectedly.
Adrian.
“You’re making this larger than it is.”
Daniel stood.
Caroline replied:
“Get out of my car.”
“Caroline, listen.”
“Out.”
Adrian’s voice hardened.
“If you accuse Bianca publicly, you destroy Daniel too.”
“How?”
“Ask him about the private bridge loans.”
Daniel froze.
Even six years ago, Hale Soundworks had relied on questionable short-term financing.
Nothing criminal, but humiliating.
Caroline had hated the risk.
Adrian continued:
“You think Daniel wants auditors going through every account?”
Caroline said:
“I think Daniel can survive embarrassment.”
Then her voice became colder.
“But Lily may not survive people like you.”
The recording ended.
Daniel could barely breathe.
A new file suddenly appeared on Grace’s phone.
Unknown sender.
A photograph.
Caroline’s Range Rover on the night before the crash.
The hood was open.
May you like
Adrian stood beside it.
And next to him, wearing a white coat, was Bianca.
