Chapter 7
Rachel obtained the family company’s insurance records.
Preston had repeatedly raised declared values after restoration.
That seemed suspicious until the auditors compared the amounts with market indexes.
Most increases were justified.
One was not.
A ruby bracelet had been insured for its original, higher-grade stones even after one ruby had apparently been replaced by a lesser one.
If the bracelet were later lost, stolen, or damaged, the insurance payout could exceed its actual current value.
Isabella looked at Rachel.
“Insurance fraud?”
“Possibly.”
Claire shook her head.
“That still doesn’t explain why they’d leave the lesser stones in our possession.”
Then a former transport coordinator provided another piece.
Six months earlier, Preston had begun insisting that certain jewelry move through an off-site storage room before restoration appointments.
The coordinator complained because it added unnecessary handling.
Preston overruled him.
“Where was the room?” Isabella asked.
A secured warehouse in Long Island City.
Owned not by Caradonna Fine Assets.
By Diane.
That was not illegal.
Diane owned several commercial properties.
But nobody had told Isabella the collection was being routed through one.
Rachel requested access records.
Diane refused voluntarily.
Her attorney argued the warehouse was private property unrelated to the exhibition.
The company’s insurer took interest immediately.
Pieces covered under its policies had apparently been stored at an undisclosed location.
Now Diane faced pressure Isabella did not control.
The insurer requested records.
That changed the balance.
Preston called Isabella late that night.
“Tell them to back off.”
“They’re not my people.”
“You started this.”
“You planted a fake brooch on my daughter.”
Silence.
He did not deny it.
Isabella’s voice lowered.
“Why?”
Preston exhaled.
“It wasn’t supposed to become this.”
“What was it supposed to become?”
Another pause.
Then:
“A reason to clear the gallery.”
Isabella went still.
May you like
Sophie’s accusation had not been intended as the end of the scheme.
It had been intended to make everyone leave.
