Martin Sloane's statement gave investigators another reason to examine the history between Victoria's business network and the Bennett family.
He recalled Victoria contacting him after Claire's death, asking whether Claire had retained records concerning the housing project.
Martin believed the request was unusual.
Victoria claimed she wanted to resolve outstanding questions before approaching the foundation with a revised proposal.
But she seemed particularly interested in Claire's private notes.
"Did you give them to her?" Rebecca asked.
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because they belonged to the foundation."
Martin paused.
"She offered to pay for copies."
He had refused.
Years later, when Victoria began dating Daniel, Martin recognized the connection but assumed she had legitimate reasons for pursuing a relationship.
He never contacted the Bennett family.
His testimony did not prove Victoria was responsible for Claire's death.
It did, however, undermine the story Victoria told Daniel about having no prior connection to his late wife's financial affairs.
Daniel was devastated.
He remembered Victoria saying she first heard of Claire through his stories.
She praised Claire's charitable work and spoke sympathetically about families affected by tragedy.
Now he wondered how much of that knowledge came from studying the Bennett family's finances.
Rebecca advised him to avoid direct confrontation.
Victoria was under investigation, and any communication could complicate the proceedings.
Instead, Daniel focused on protecting Lily.
He met with a child therapist experienced in helping children recover after frightening events.
Lily had begun having nightmares about the flower wall.
She sometimes asked whether someone might be hiding behind her bedroom closet.
Daniel reassured her without dismissing her fear.
They practiced checking that doors were secure.
He reminded her that trustworthy adults would listen when she felt unsafe.
At school, Lily became quieter.
Her teacher noticed she no longer volunteered to speak during class.
Daniel arranged additional support.
He also told Lily she did not have to answer questions from classmates about the wedding.
One evening, she sat beside him on the living room couch.
"Daddy, did Victoria hate Aunt Emily?"
Daniel considered his answer.
"I don't know everything Victoria felt."
"But she hurt her."
"The evidence suggests people did terrible things to Aunt Emily. The adults responsible will have to answer for their actions."
Lily looked down.
"Was I bad for ruining the wedding?"
Daniel pulled her close.
"No, sweetheart."
"But everybody was looking at me."
"Because you did something brave."
She hesitated.
"Even when Victoria told me not to?"
"Especially then."
Lily leaned against his chest.
After a while, she asked whether Aunt Emily could come for dinner when she felt better.
Daniel smiled.
"She'd love that."
And for the first time since the wedding, Lily fell asleep without asking him to leave the hallway light on.