Page 66 of The Cottage on Plum Island
“Hello, Jen. How are you holding up?” Sam asked.
“I’ll be better when Harley’s been released,” Jennifer told him. “Wallis Moron sent the police an anonymous video of Harley arguing with the victim.”
“They took him in over an argument?” Sam asked, surprised. “If that’s all they have to go on, they’ll try and manipulate Harley into confessing.”
“He threatened Clair in the video,”Andrew told him.
“Threatened her how?” Sam asked. “Harley and Clair were always arguing. That woman had an agenda, and Harley suspected it wasn’t good. Clair was trying to get control of Angela’s care and estate.”
“You’re talking about guardianship and conservatorship of the estate due to Angela’s incapacitated mental state?” Andrew’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Whodoescontrol them?”
“Harley,” Sam told Andrew.
Jennifer saw Andrew nod as he stared at the phone. “Is there any proof that Clair has been trying to get control?”
“Yes.” Sam was quiet for a few seconds. “Harley has gotten numerous letters, and about eight or ten months ago, Clair went to the Newbury Port Mental Health Facility with documents she wanted the facility to sign.”
“What documents?” Andrew’s eyes met Jennifer’s.
“It was a petition to have Harley removed as guardian as he wasn’t immediate family, and Clair felt that he was keeping Angela unnecessarily,” Sam told them. “According to Clair, she’d had Angela assessed by a psychiatrist who’d gained access to the facility as a family friend to see Angela.”
“Doesn’t Angela have a strict visitors’ policy?” Andrew’s deep frown was back.
“Yes,” Sam confirmed. “Apparently, Harley approved the visit.”
“Did Harley know the man?” Jennifer asked.
“No,” Sam said. “Harley also didn’t approve the visit. His signature had been forged. Harley was in California on the day the visit was approved, and the doctor visited.”
“Can he prove that?” Jennifer asked before Andrew could.
“I’m pretty sure,” Sam said, his voice confident. “He was in Coronado.”
“Coronado?” Jennifer’s face scratched up in confusion.
“Naval Special Warfare Basic Training Command,” Sam told them. “I’m sure they’ll corroborate his whereabouts.”
“Well, no one’s going to doubt the Navy, are they?” Jennifer stated, her heart thudding as new hope flowed through her.
Andrew rubbed his chin once again. “Surely the institute has strict measures to prevent things like that?”
“I guess it was done the same way Clair got Angela out of the facility,” Sam pointed out. “Clair has someone on the inside.”
“Sam—“ Andrew started to ask a favor when Sam cut him off.
“Check into any connections between Clair and staff at the institute?” Sam guessed. “I’ve already got someone on it.”
“Great!” Jennifer sighed in relief, and a thought hit her. “Wait! Do you think that was the argument that Clair and Harley had and that Wallis recorded?
“We’d need to get the time stamp from the video,” Andrew told them.
“Send it to me,” Sam suggested. “I can get that information.”
“Sure,” Andrew agreed. “I’ll send it as soon as we hang up.”
“I wish I was there and could help more,” Sam said frustratedly. “This darn back injury!”
“Take it easy, Sam,” Jennifer advised. “You’re doing a lot by using your vast tapestry of connections.”
