Chapter 15 - MONDAY MORNINGMonday after Emily’s scheduled burial, Hale Renovation had a mandatory bank review.
Richard’s revolving credit line was up for renewal.
The bank had identified unusual vendor payments and requested supporting invoices.
Patrick Sloan had managed estimates tied to several questioned vendors before disappearing.
Emily had found copies at home.
Richard needed the credit line renewed or payroll could fail.
He also needed Emily not speaking to police, lenders, or attorneys.
The fake death did three things in his mind:
Stopped people looking for Emily.
Explained why she could not answer financial questions.
Allowed Richard to present himself as grieving and ask the bank for temporary flexibility.
It was not a legally effective death.
He knew that.
But he believed the funeral would create enough social certainty to buy time before official records caught up.
Three days.
That was all he thought he needed.
Then he planned to move Emily again.
What happened afterward?
His notes suggested he had no coherent plan.
That frightened me.
People assume elaborate crimes require elaborate endings.
Often the first lie is detailed.
May you like
The final plan is:
Figure it out later.
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