Chapter 12 - DIANE’S DAUGHTER
Brooke disappeared from Chicago two days before she was scheduled to testify before the grand jury.
Her car was found at Midway Airport.
Her phone had been left inside a trash can.
Her passport remained at home.
Diane’s attorneys claimed Brooke had suffered an emotional breakdown because of public harassment.
Detective Bell believed she was hiding.
The question was whether she hid voluntarily.
Three days later, Brooke contacted Eleanor from a motel outside Indianapolis.
She sounded terrified.
She wanted immunity.
She also wanted protection from her mother.
Eleanor arranged a meeting with federal investigators because the financial transfers crossed state lines.
Brooke arrived wearing a baseball cap and no makeup.
Without the polished clothes and online confidence, she looked younger than thirty.
She looked exhausted.
“I deleted the livestream because Mom told me to,” she said.
“That is already established,” Eleanor replied.
“She also told me to edit the shorter video.”
“Why?”
“To make Emily look violent.”
“You participated willingly.”
Brooke looked at me.
“I hated you.”
“I know.”
“Mom said you were taking Jason away.”
“Jason was my husband.”
“In our family, that didn’t matter.”
Brooke opened her purse and removed a small external drive.
“I copied Mom’s computer before the police searched the storage unit.”
“Why?”
“Because I knew she would blame me eventually.”
The drive contained years of emails, financial ledgers, recordings, and photographs.
It also contained a video filmed inside Diane’s study.
In the video, Diane spoke to Raymond about the anniversary trip.
“She will be near the water,” Diane said.
Raymond asked whether Jason understood his role.
“He doesn’t need to understand.”
“He only needs to leave her alone long enough.”
My stomach tightened.
Raymond asked what would happen to Lily.
Diane smiled.
“Jason will move back here.”
“I will raise the child correctly.”
Brooke paused the video.
“I didn’t know about this until after Mom was arrested.”
“Did Jason know?” I asked.
“I don’t think so.”
“That isn’t an answer.”
“He knew she wanted control of your inheritance.”
“How?”
“Because she told both of us before the wedding.”
The room became silent.
Brooke began crying.
“She said your grandmother’s money would restore what Dad lost before he died.”
Jason’s father had supposedly left Diane wealthy.
The truth was that he died owing millions.
Diane’s luxury condo, foundation, parties, and reputation were supported by debt.
She needed my inheritance to maintain the illusion.
“Did Jason marry me for money?” I asked.
Brooke could not meet my eyes.
“At first?”
“Yes.”
The word landed softly.
It hurt more than shouting would have.
“Did he ever love me?”
“I think he did.”
“Eventually?”
“Yes.”
I stood from the table.
“That makes it worse.”
I had not been chosen.
I had been evaluated.
Approved.
Acquired.
Then, when I became inconvenient, Diane developed a plan to remove me and keep everything I owned.
Brooke reached for my hand.
I stepped back.
“I’m sorry.”
“You are not here because you are sorry.”
“You are here because your mother finally turned against you.”
Brooke lowered her arm.
“You’re right.”
For the first time, she told the truth without decorating it.
Then she revealed one final secret.
May you like
Diane had another copy of the insurance policy.
It was hidden inside the family mausoleum beside her husband’s ashes.
