Chapter 9 - The woman who came to the house
The birth attendant was located two states away.
Her name was Valerie Kent.
She initially denied wrongdoing.
Then investigators confronted her with financial records.
Payments.
Large ones.
From a consulting firm connected to Richard.
Valerie changed her story.
She claimed she had been hired merely to monitor Rachel.
Not harm her.
The medication?
She insisted Richard’s representative told her it was safe.
Tests on Rachel suggested a dangerous dosing issue combined with severe postpartum complications and dehydration.
Investigators would determine responsibility.
But Valerie admitted something more important.
Richard wanted photographs.
Proof the babies existed.
Proof Rachel was alone.
Proof nobody else was staying at the house.
“Why?”
Valerie claimed she never asked.
Nobody believed that completely.
Then she surrendered messages.
One stopped the room cold.
Do not let her reach the hospital before Monday.
Monday was important.
A probate hearing was scheduled that morning.
Richard’s lawyers were seeking control over disputed assets from Charles’s estate.
If Rachel and the babies remained invisible, Richard’s position was stronger.
But Grace arrived Sunday afternoon.
Barefoot.
Bleeding.
Pushing a wheelbarrow.
A seven-year-old child had accidentally destroyed a multimillion-dollar timetable.
Then Richard’s attorney made a surprising move.
He withdrew from representing him.
Why?
Professional conflict.
That was all he would say publicly.
Hours later, investigators obtained new evidence through lawful process.
A recording.
Charles Whitmore’s voice.
“If Richard ever claims Rachel is lying, test the children.”
Then:
May you like
“And if something happens to me, investigate the boat.”
Richard’s boating accident story suddenly became something much more dangerous.
