"Your husband gave me specific instructions concerning the documents I brought tonight."
PATRICIA BENNETT:
"And I'm sure those instructions can be discussed privately at another time."
SAMUEL KEENE:
"They have already waited nearly two years."
The smile disappeared.
Samuel stepped into the room and placed the folder on a small table.
SAMUEL KEENE:
"I have tried to honor your family's privacy. I have also tried to respect your husband's wishes. Unfortunately, the information contained in these documents cannot be left unresolved indefinitely."
DEREK BENNETT:
"What information?"
Samuel opened the folder.
SAMUEL KEENE:
"Before we begin, I want to make one thing clear. I am not here to accuse anyone without evidence. I am here because Richard Bennett believed that several financial decisions made during the final years of his life had been misrepresented."
Patricia sat down abruptly.
PATRICIA BENNETT:
"This is outrageous."
SAMUEL KEENE:
"You have not yet heard what the documents contain."
PATRICIA BENNETT:
"I don't need to hear it. I know what I did for my husband."
SAMUEL KEENE:
"I am sure you do."
He removed a set of statements and placed them on the table.
SAMUEL KEENE:
"These are records of transfers from accounts associated with the Bennett family business. They include dates, amounts, and authorization details. Several transfers were described in the company records as expenses related to property maintenance and charitable contributions."
Derek leaned forward.
DEREK BENNETT:
"What is wrong with that?"
SAMUEL KEENE:
"Some of the receiving accounts did not belong to the organizations or contractors identified in the records."
The room fell silent.
Patricia looked at the documents without touching them.
DEREK BENNETT:
"Are you saying someone stole money?"
SAMUEL KEENE:
"I am saying that the records contain discrepancies that require an explanation."
PATRICIA BENNETT:
"This is a misunderstanding. There were legitimate reasons for moving funds."
SAMUEL KEENE:
"Then the records should be able to support those reasons."
He turned one page toward her.
SAMUEL KEENE:
"Your husband requested an independent review after he discovered that several transactions could not be reconciled with the company's reported expenses."
Derek looked at his mother.
DEREK BENNETT:
"You told me Dad had approved everything."
PATRICIA BENNETT:
"He had approved the general arrangements."
SAMUEL KEENE:
"That is not the same as approving every transaction."
Patricia's eyes moved toward the door.
Samuel noticed.
SAMUEL KEENE:
"Caroline has also been mentioned in the correspondence. Before either of you draws a conclusion, I want to establish that the records do not show her authorizing these transfers."
Derek frowned.
DEREK BENNETT:
"Why would Caroline have anything to do with the company accounts?"
SAMUEL KEENE:
"That is precisely the question your father wanted answered."
Patricia rose from her chair.
PATRICIA BENNETT:
"Enough. I will not allow you to turn a private family matter into an accusation."
SAMUEL KEENE:
"Mrs. Bennett, the records concern financial transactions. Their significance does not disappear because the people involved are related."
PATRICIA BENNETT:
"You have no idea what our family has been through."
SAMUEL KEENE:
"Your husband understood what your family had been through. He was the one who asked me to preserve these documents."
For a moment, Patricia seemed unable to speak.
Samuel removed a sealed envelope from the folder.
The paper was yellowed slightly at the edges, and Richard's initials had been written across the flap.
Derek recognized the handwriting immediately.
DEREK BENNETT:
"That's Dad's."
SAMUEL KEENE:
"Yes."
DEREK BENNETT:
"What's in it?"
SAMUEL KEENE:
"A letter Richard instructed me to read when the relevant parties were present."
PATRICIA BENNETT:
"You cannot do that."
SAMUEL KEENE:
"I can follow the instructions my client gave me, subject to my professional obligations."
PATRICIA BENNETT:
"He was my husband."
SAMUEL KEENE:
"And he was my client."
Patricia looked at the envelope as though it might open by itself.
Outside the room, the gala continued. The orchestra played another quiet piece, and the foundation's staff moved between tables. No one in the ballroom could hear the conversation taking place behind the closed door.
But the consequences of that conversation would reach far beyond the walls of the reception room.
Samuel broke the seal.
He unfolded the letter carefully.
Then he began to read.
SAMUEL KEENE:
"To my family. If this letter is being read, it means that I have reached a point where I can no longer explain what happened in person. I ask you to listen to the evidence before deciding who deserves your loyalty."
Derek lowered his eyes.
Patricia remained standing.
SAMUEL KEENE: