But one thing was clear.
Whatever Richard had intended when he married me, he had eventually become a man who believed other people’s safety was an acceptable price for his own escape.
And I would never again mistake his charm for goodness.
Chapter 9: The Last Lie
The final meeting between Richard’s legal representatives and Margaret took place several weeks later.
By then, I had moved my personal belongings out of the house and arranged for the property to remain secure while the legal matters were handled.
I did not attend the meeting.
I didn’t need to.
Margaret called me afterward.
“Richard’s position has changed,” she said.
“In what way?”
“He is no longer claiming that the money was an ordinary business investment. He’s acknowledging that some transfers were unauthorized, although he disputes the extent of his involvement.”
I sat at the desk in my temporary apartment.
“And Adrian Vale?”
“The investigators are pursuing him separately. The evidence suggests he played a central role in the wider arrangement.”
