Lily explained that Vanessa entered James's bedroom several days before the wedding while he was at work. She asked Lily to help choose jewelry for the ceremony, then opened the safe using a code James had shared with her. Lily recognized Claire's letters because her father sometimes showed her the envelopes, explaining that they were gifts for the future.
When Lily asked why Vanessa was removing them, Vanessa said the family needed to move forward.
"She told me dead people shouldn't control our lives," Lily whispered.
James struggled to remain calm.
"What happened to the letters?"
"She put them in a blue suitcase."
"Do you know where the suitcase went?"
Lily nodded.
"Her mom took it."
James remembered Caroline Whitmore arriving at the house that afternoon. She claimed she'd come to collect dresses for the rehearsal dinner. James hadn't thought twice about the luggage she carried.
He thanked Lily for telling him and resisted asking additional questions. Rebecca had already explained that repeatedly questioning a frightened child could add pressure and complicate efforts to document what happened. James assured Lily that adults would handle the matter.
The next morning, Rebecca informed Detective Sarah Keene, who had been assigned to the suspected financial fraud investigation. Sarah arranged for a formal account of the missing items and asked James to provide proof of ownership where available.
Meanwhile, Edward Lawson agreed to speak privately.
He was seventy-one, with silver hair and a measured voice. He described meeting Natalie Price after his wife's death, falling in love, and gradually granting her access to financial information because he believed they were building a future together.
"She was extraordinarily patient in the beginning," Edward said.
James nodded. "Vanessa was too."
Edward explained that his daughter noticed unexplained transfers and persuaded him to seek independent advice. The engagement ended before the wedding, but recovering his losses required years of litigation.
"Did Natalie ever mention a partner?" Rebecca asked.
Edward hesitated.
"There was a man named Victor Hale. She introduced him as a business consultant."
James recognized the name immediately.
Victor had attended several dinners at the Carter house. Vanessa described him as an investment adviser who helped wealthy families protect their assets.
Edward continued.
"After the engagement ended, Victor tried convincing me to sign documents that would resolve everything quietly."
"Did you?"
"No."
"Why not?"
Edward smiled sadly.
"Because my daughter told me something I should have understood myself."
James waited.
"Someone who loves you doesn't need you to surrender your independence."
After the call, Sarah contacted Rebecca.
Investigators had identified Victor Hale's involvement in Havenbrook Holdings.
But there was another discovery.
Victor hadn't simply advised Vanessa.
He was listed as her husband.