Chapter 6
The archivist found gaps.
Most of Celeste’s emails remained preserved on museum servers.
Several months were missing from her executive folder.
Preston had overseen the server migration after her death.
That did not prove anything.
It made him relevant.
Rocco requested the migration logs.
Preston’s attorney objected.
Rocco’s attorney reminded everyone that museum data belonged to the foundation.
The review continued.
Meanwhile, Victoria’s suspension created financial consequences she had not expected.
Her salary stopped pending the board review.
The residential wing remained available temporarily because removing a family from housing required proper notice and legal review.
Rocco did not throw anyone into the street that afternoon.
His line at the gala had been anger.
Turning it into reality required process.
Preston mocked that.
“So much for ‘last day.’”
Rocco looked at him.
“I said the house would stop belonging to you.”
“It never legally belonged to me.”
“Exactly.”
Preston’s smile disappeared.
The occupancy agreement allowed Victoria and Preston to live there only while actively serving in museum leadership.
If their appointments ended for cause, the residence could be terminated after the required notice period.
Preston knew that.
That explained Victoria’s fear at the gala.
Their job, business and home were tied together.
Then the financial review uncovered unauthorized charges from Heritage Hospitality.
Not enough to prove large-scale theft.
Enough to show blurred lines.
Museum staff had performed work for Preston’s private events without reimbursement.
Museum equipment had been used.
Utilities had been charged to the foundation.
The donor salon would have made those lines even blurrier.
Rocco asked Victoria:
“Did you know?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Preston said once the company became profitable, the museum would benefit.”
“Did you verify that?”
“No.”
Rocco looked at her.
Victoria’s anger toward Celeste had made her easy to recruit into Preston’s plans.
May you like
But anger alone did not explain why Preston wanted her to believe Celeste hated her.
Unless Victoria’s loyalty to Celeste would have blocked something he wanted.
