Chapter 7 - THE ESTATE MANAGER’S SECOND BUSINESS
A forensic accountant took three days to establish what Malcolm had spent seventeen years hoping nobody would examine.
Fenwick Estate Services had billed Harrington Hall legitimately for maintenance.
It had also billed twice for some work.
Charged management commissions never authorised.
Redirected lease deposits.
And received unexplained transfers matching the amounts once intended for the Vale settlement.
But the largest numbers came from Ridgewell Heritage Developments.
Ridgewell wanted sixty-two acres along the eastern edge of Harrington land for a luxury hotel and private residences.
The development needed one thing desperately.
A legal access corridor.
The corridor ran through Lower Meadow and past East Lodge.
Exactly the parcels Malcolm’s deed claimed belonged to him.
Ridgewell had already paid Fenwick Land Management £420,000 in option advances.
If Malcolm failed to establish title, he might have to repay it.
Much of the money was gone.
Eleanor looked over the accounts.
“There’s motive.”
Oliver looked towards East Lodge through the library window.
“And Hannah?”
“She lives on land he needs empty.”
That was why the Vales had suddenly become “troublesome tenants”.
Why Malcolm had threatened them.
Why he needed Oliver to sign quickly.
Why the old settlement had to stay buried.
The stolen money mattered.
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But clean title mattered more.
Malcolm had transformed a family secret into a property scheme.
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