“Graham drove Laura’s car. Richard followed in the cruiser. Samuel forced the car off the road, believing I was inside.”
“And Laura died.”
“Yes.”
“What happened to you?”
“Graham found me later. He planned to kill me, but I had hidden copies of Samuel’s research. I told him they would be released if I disappeared.”
“So he kept you hidden.”
“At first. Then I escaped.”
“Why didn’t you go to police?”
“Graham controlled the investigation. Samuel had contacts in federal agencies. Richard was being framed. I did not know whom to trust.”
“What about your daughters?”
Evelyn’s eyes filled.
“Samuel threatened Claire.”
“Why?”
“Because she was his daughter and the legal heir to Laura’s estate. If Laura died, her shares in Vale Biotech passed to Claire. Those shares included patent rights worth millions.”
“I never inherited anything.”
“Richard hid your identity to protect you. He raised you as his daughter and allowed everyone to believe I was your mother.”
The room became very still.
“Then Richard wasn’t stealing from me?”
“Not at first.”
“At first?”
Evelyn’s face hardened.
