Chapter 10 - THE DEATH THAT BUILT AN EMPIRE
Geneviève de Valmont had officially died of heart failure.
Her medical records described a sudden collapse after several months of declining health.
The family held a private funeral.
The estate entered mourning.
Catherine assumed control of the investment office.
Within six months, several foundation accounts were restructured.
And no one asked questions.
Until Isabelle.
Claire spread the financial ledgers across the conference table.
"Look at these dates."
Elodie leaned forward.
Payments had been made to several companies immediately before Geneviève's death.
The companies shared directors.
The directors shared addresses.
And every trail eventually led back to Catherine.
"She was moving money before Geneviève died," Elodie said.
"Yes," Claire replied.
"Then after the funeral, the transfers accelerated."
Alexandre studied the records.
"Mother always told us the foundation was struggling."
"It wasn't," Claire said.
"It was being drained."
Marie sat quietly beside the window.
Finally, Elodie turned toward her.
"Tell me what happened."
Marie looked exhausted.
"Geneviève discovered the transfers. She confronted Catherine."
"And?"
"Catherine claimed the money had been invested in temporary holding accounts."
"Was that true?"
"No."
Marie swallowed.
"Geneviève told Henri she was going to report everything."
Alexandre leaned forward.
"What happened next?"
"She became ill."
Elodie felt a chill.
"Was she poisoned?"
Marie hesitated.
"I don't know. But she had been healthy enough to travel the week before."
Claire raised a hand.
"We cannot assume murder without evidence."
Marie nodded.
"That's why I kept the records."
She opened one of the ledgers.
Inside was a small envelope containing photocopies of medical invoices.
One invoice referred to a private physician.
Another to a pharmaceutical supplier.
A third contained a handwritten notation.
Special preparation delivered — C.V.
Alexandre stared at the initials.
"Catherine Valmont."
Claire examined the document.
"It's suspicious, but not proof."
Elodie looked at her.
"Then we find proof."
Alexandre remembered something.
"Isabelle was investigating Grandmother's death before she disappeared."
"Then she may have found it," Claire said.
He took out the lighthouse photograph.
"The place in the picture is on the Atlantic coast."
Claire examined it.
"Do you recognize it?"
Alexandre nodded.
"Saint-Clair-sur-Mer."
"How do you know?"
"Grandfather took Isabelle and me there every summer."
He turned the photograph over.
"The lighthouse still remembers."
Elodie frowned.
"Maybe it's a meeting place."
"Or a storage location."
They left that evening.
Claire arranged for Marie to remain under independent medical supervision while she prepared emergency filings to challenge the forged marriage certificate and freeze the disputed transfer.
Alexandre and Elodie drove west.
The journey took nearly six hours.
They arrived shortly after midnight.
The lighthouse stood on a rocky headland overlooking the Atlantic.
Its white tower rose against the dark sky.
Waves crashed below.
Alexandre parked beside a narrow stone cottage.
"This belonged to Grandfather."
Elodie looked at the dark windows.
"Does Catherine know?"
"She thinks it was sold years ago."
He unlocked the door.
Inside, the cottage smelled of salt and old wood.
Furniture stood beneath white sheets.
A clock had stopped at 4:17.
Alexandre searched the kitchen.
Elodie examined the fireplace.
Then she noticed a small carved symbol on the mantel.
Three stars.
The same symbol engraved on Isabelle's bracelet.
"Alexandre."
He approached.
She pressed the carving.
A hidden compartment opened.
Inside lay a small metal box.
Alexandre lifted it out.
There was a handwritten note taped to the lid.
For my brother, when he finally chooses the truth.
His hands trembled.
He opened the box.
Inside was a flash drive.
A passport.
And a photograph of Isabelle standing beside a little girl.
Alexandre stared.
The child looked approximately six years old.
Her dark hair was tied in two braids.
May you like
On the back of the photograph, Isabelle had written:
HER NAME IS LUCIE. SHE IS THE REASON I COULDN'T COME HOME.
