Chapter 18 - ELEANOR’S FINAL CONFESSION
Eleanor did not deny being the original investor.
She sat inside a federal interview room wearing plain gray clothing.
The woman who once controlled Ashford Manor, an international corporation, and entire rooms of powerful people now faced Claire across a metal table.
Ethan watched through the observation glass.
Detective Reed recorded everything.
“I funded Vivian’s first laboratory,” Eleanor said.
“Why?”
“Graham asked me.”
“You knew he was involved with her.”
“Yes.”
“And you still gave them money.”
“I believed the treatment could save children.”
“Did you know Claire and Caroline were being used?”
“Not initially.”
“When did you learn?”
“Before the fire.”
Claire’s hands tightened.
“You knew children were dying.”
“I knew the trial had produced severe reactions.”
“Did you stop funding it?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Graham promised they were close to correcting the dosage.”
“So you made the same choice as everyone else.”
“Yes.”
“You valued the treatment more than the children already harmed.”
“Yes.”
Eleanor’s direct answers carried no defense.
Claire almost wished she would make excuses.
Anger was easier when the guilty person resisted it.
“Did you order the laboratory fire?”
“No.”
“Did you help conceal it?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know Caroline survived?”
“I knew one twin remained with Victor.”
“Why didn’t you rescue her?”
“I tried.”
“For twenty-five years?”
“For three.”
“What happened after three?”
“My parents died.”
“Victor moved her.”
“And you stopped looking.”
“Graham threatened to leave with Ethan if I continued.”
Claire stared at her.
“You chose your family.”
“I chose the child in front of me.”
“Caroline was also a child.”
“Yes.”
Eleanor looked through the observation window toward Ethan.
“I have no answer that makes the choice acceptable.”
“Why did you push me?”
“Because Victor sent me a photograph ten minutes before you arrived.”
“What photograph?”
Eleanor removed a copy from the evidence folder.
It showed Ethan entering the gala.
A red target had been drawn across his chest.
Victor’s message stated that if Claire opened Graham’s letter publicly, Ethan would be killed.
“You thought pushing me would stop it?”
“I wanted to take the letter.”
“You struck me.”
“I lost control.”
“You shoved me near a staircase.”
“Yes.”
“You could have killed me.”
“Yes.”
“Did you mean to?”
Eleanor hesitated.
“For one second.”
Ethan closed his eyes behind the glass.
Claire appreciated the honesty and hated it.
“What changed?”
“You fell.”
“That is not an answer.”
“When I saw you falling, I remembered the laboratory.”
“The children behind the glass.”
“Vivian screaming.”
“I realized I had spent my life pushing people toward the same fire and telling myself it was necessary.”
Claire leaned back.
“Where did Valerie take Naomi?”
“I do not know.”
“She named you.”
“Valerie believes I still possess the original investor account.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
“Where?”
“Inside Ashford Manor.”
“The manor burned.”
“The account key is beneath the foundation.”
“Another hidden room?”
“The original family crypt.”
May you like
Claire looked toward Reed.
Crime scene crews had not searched beneath
