Chapter 17 - Charles Is Arrested
Jason’s messages alone were not enough.
Then investigators found the escrow agreement.
Charles had promised Jason $1.5 million after a “successful control transition.”
A recorded conversation from Jason’s cloud backup made the meaning worse.
Charles:
I don’t care how you keep her occupied. I need her away from the audit until quarter close.
Jason:
And if she marries me?
Charles laughed.
Then I’ll send champagne.
Later:
Jason:
If something happened to Eleanor after the paperwork, you’d control hotels, right?
Charles paused.
I’m not discussing hypotheticals like that.
Not an order.
But not surprise either.
Then another message after the wedding:
Make sure the authority is signed before you leave the island.
Charles knew the documents mattered.
Prosecutors charged him with conspiracy-related financial crimes, fraud, and elder exploitation counts while continuing to investigate his knowledge of the murder plan.
Eleanor watched his arrest on television.
She turned it off halfway through.
No satisfaction.
Only grief.
“I changed his diapers.”
Grace sat beside her.
“I know.”
“I paid for his first apartment.”
“I know.”
“He called me when his mother died.”
Grace said nothing.
Eleanor whispered:
“How do people make money worth more than history?”
Grace answered:
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“Usually one compromise at a time.”
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