Chapter 7 - The Web of Greed
Helena backed away slowly until her spine hit the stone wall.
"No... that’s impossible," she stammered.
"I threw it into the harbor... I replaced it with—"
She caught herself, clamping her teeth shut, but it was already too late.
Detective Miller raised an eyebrow.
"Replaced it with what, Helena? Thank you for the spontaneous confession."
Two patrol officers moved forward, grabbing Helena by her wrists.
The metallic clink of handcuffs echoed sharply through the silent chapel.
Helena thrashed, screaming profanities that shocked the elderly guests.
Her black veil tore off, revealing wild hair and sweat-stained makeup.
"Julian! Do something!" she shrieked toward Clara’s husband.
"Use the family lawyers! Call Judge Harrison! Do not let them take me!"
Julian stood motionless, staring at the floor.
His shoulders slumped as if all life had been drained from his body.
He looked up slowly, meeting Helena’s frantic gaze.
"You murdered Clara," Julian said, his voice barely above a whisper.
"And you made me think I was crazy for questioning her prescriptions."
Detective Miller held up an evidence bag containing Helena’s purse.
"There’s more, Mr. Vance," the detective said grimly.
"The federal agents behind me aren't here for the homicide."
"They're here for wire fraud and embezzlement."
One of the federal agents stepped forward, holding a folder.
"Over the last eighteen months, Helena transferred thirty million dollars."
"Funds stolen from Vance Global into offshore accounts in the Cayman Islands."
"Clara had discovered the discrepancy three days before she started falling ill."
The entire chapel gasped.
It had never been about a medical condition.
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It had never been about Clara's health.
It was cold, calculated, premeditated murder to cover up the theft of a fortune.
