“What about Walter?” I asked.
Detective Beckett’s jaw tightened.
“He’s awake.”
“Did he talk?”
“Yes.”
The detective pulled his chair closer.
“Walter Pike was your grandfather’s accountant. He discovered irregular withdrawals shortly before Harold’s death.”
“What kind of withdrawals?”
“Money transferred to accounts controlled by your father.”
I struggled to process it.
“Why didn’t he report it?”
“He tried.”
“What happened?”
“Your grandfather died before they could confront your father publicly.”
I looked from Beckett to the prosecutor.
“How did my grandfather die?”
Neither answered immediately.
The silence was more frightening than any accusation.
“My parents said it was a heart attack.”
“That was the official cause,” Beckett said.
“Official?”
“Walter claims Harold believed someone was tampering with his medication.”
Wyatt stood again, this time without apology.
“You think they killed him?”
“We don’t know,” Lena Morris replied. “The body was cremated, so proving poisoning after twelve years may be difficult.”
