Chapter 3 - WHAT BRENDA KNEW
Brenda didn't run.
She simply stood on the staircase and stared at me.
Gemma came behind me.
“You knew,” I said.
Brenda's eyes filled with tears.
“I didn't know she would survive.”
The sentence struck me harder than a confession.
“You knew something would happen to Vivienne.”
“No.”
“Then explain what you just said.”
She looked at Gemma.
“Please. Not in front of her.”
Gemma stepped forward.
“I'm her daughter.”
Brenda lowered her head.
“I know.”
“Then tell us.”
Brenda looked exhausted.
For years, I had considered her family.
She had married my younger brother Mason when they were both twenty-eight.
She had become my company's head of purchasing.
She knew our finances.
Our vendors.
Our contracts.
Our accounts.
And apparently, she knew secrets about my wife.
“I didn't hurt Vivienne,” she said.
“Who did?”
“I don't know.”
“You're lying.”
“I swear I'm not.”
I held up the letter.
“Then why did you say I wasn't supposed to find this?”
She stared at it.
“Because Vivienne gave it to me.”
I froze.
“What?”
“Three days before she collapsed.”
“Why?”
“She asked me to hide it.”
“Why would she trust you?”
Brenda looked at Gemma.
“Because she didn't trust anyone else.”
I felt anger rising.
“You organized her funeral.”
“Yes.”
“You handled the paperwork.”
“Yes.”
“You contacted the doctor.”
“Yes.”
“You arranged the coffin.”
Her voice broke.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because someone told me she was dead.”
“Who?”
Brenda hesitated.
Then whispered:
“Florence.”
My mother's name.
The hallway seemed to narrow.
“My mother told you Vivienne was dead?”
“Yes.”
“When?”
“Before the doctor called you.”
I stared at her.
“That makes no sense.”
“I know.”
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“Because I was scared.”
“Of my mother?”
“Of everyone.”
She began crying.
“I saw Vivienne the night before she collapsed.”
My heart pounded.
“What did she say?”
“She told me that someone was poisoning the family.”
“Who?”
“She didn't know.”
“That's impossible.”
“She said money was disappearing from Pendelton Enterprises.”
I went still.
“How much?”
“Millions.”
I looked at her.
“Who had access?”
Brenda gave a bitter smile.
“You did.”
I felt insulted.
“Obviously I did.”
“No. You had access to the company's public accounts. But three other people had access to the private acquisition fund.”
I knew the answer before she said it.
“Who?”
“Me.”
She swallowed.
“Mason.”
Then:
“Paige.”
I felt sick.
“My sister?”
“Yes.”
“And my mother?”
“No.”
I looked at her.
“Florence didn't have access?”
“She didn't need it.”
“What does that mean?”
Brenda stepped closer.
“She controlled the people who did.”
My phone rang.
Hospital.
I answered immediately.
“Hello?”
“Mr. Pendelton, this is Dr. Harris.”
“Yes.”
“Your wife is awake.”
I almost dropped the phone.
“She's conscious?”
“Yes.”
“Can I see her?”
“There is something you need to know.”
“What?”
“She is frightened.”
“Of what?”
“She keeps asking for you.”
“I'm coming.”
I hung up.
Brenda grabbed my arm.
“Conrad.”
“What?”
“Don't tell Vivienne that you found the letter.”
“Why?”
“Because if whoever did this is watching, they'll know she told you.”
I stared at her.
“Are you saying someone could be watching the hospital?”
Brenda nodded.
“That's exactly what I'm saying.”
I left with Gemma.
But before I reached the door, Brenda spoke again.
“There is one more thing.”
I turned.
“Your wife's biological mother didn't come to the cemetery for money.”
“I know.”
“She came because Vivienne asked her to.”
I froze.
“When?”
“Last week.”
“What did Vivienne ask her?”
Brenda's eyes filled with fear.
“She told Maeve that if anything happened to her, Maeve should find you.”
“Why?”
May you like
Brenda whispered:
“Because your wife believed your mother was going to kill her.”
