Claire's folder contained more than James expected. She had preserved correspondence with Easton Development, including proposals Natalie submitted while representing the firm. Several requested extensive access to Carter Construction's financial records in exchange for promised investment opportunities. Claire's notes questioned the firm's projections, unexplained fees, and lack of verifiable project details.
James remembered that period vaguely.
He had been focused on expanding the construction business while Claire handled much of the administrative work. When she told him she'd rejected a questionable investment proposal, he trusted her judgment and moved on.
He never imagined the people involved would return years later.
Rebecca examined the documents and found a letter Claire wrote to the company's former attorney. In it, she expressed concern that someone was attempting to obtain confidential information about Carter Construction.
The attorney's response advised stronger access controls and further due diligence.
James looked toward the attic window.
He had spent years believing Claire's greatest gift to him was the love they'd shared.
Now he realized she'd also left behind practical protections that could help preserve their daughter's future.
That afternoon, he visited Claire's grave.
It stood beneath an old maple tree in a quiet cemetery outside Briarwood. James brought fresh flowers and sat on the nearby bench.
"I nearly gave away everything we built," he whispered.
The wind moved softly through the branches.
He thought about how often he'd told himself that Vanessa helped him heal. Perhaps some of the happiness he'd felt was genuine on his side. He had enjoyed companionship, shared meals, and the possibility of loving again.
But those feelings didn't make Vanessa's intentions sincere.
James wiped his eyes.
"Lily saw what I couldn't."
He remained there until late afternoon.
When he returned home, Lily was helping Rebecca prepare dinner.
She ran toward him.
"Daddy, Aunt Rebecca says we can make lasagna."
James smiled.
"That sounds perfect."
Later, after Lily went upstairs, Rebecca showed him a message from investigators.
They had compared Claire's documents with records obtained from Havenbrook. Several names and financial arrangements appeared in both sets.
The discovery strengthened the connection between Vanessa's earlier business activities and the attempted transactions involving Carter Construction.
But another question remained.
Why had Vanessa been willing to spend eighteen months building a relationship with James if she already knew Claire rejected her firm's proposal?
Rebecca offered one possibility.
"Perhaps she believed marriage would give her access that a business contract never could."
James looked toward the staircase.
"And Lily?"
Rebecca's expression softened.
"She may have thought your daughter would be easy to silence."
James shook his head.
"She was wrong."
Then his phone vibrated.
An unknown number had sent a short message.
You think you've won because the child interrupted the wedding. You haven't seen the documents your wife signed.
James read it twice.
Claire had been dead for five years.
What documents could Vanessa possibly mean?