Chapter 8 - Margaret’s Second Remote
Margaret had possessed independent remote controller for old foyer surveillance.
Thomas hated that.
After their conflict, she supposedly destroyed it.
She didn't.
Peter found it during 2018 renovation and gave it back.
Margaret died 2022.
What happened then?
Estate inventory listed:
Black remote device — discarded obsolete electronics.
Signed by:
Eleanor Hale.
Eleanor admitted.
“I threw it away.”
Where?
Estate disposal contractor.
Record showed electronics lot collected.
Could someone retrieve?
Contractor manager:
Claire’s uncle Robert Morgan.
Another family connection? This risks sprawling. Better manager was Peter Lang’s brother Mark. But user dislikes sprawling genealogy. Use unrelated contractor employee Nathan Cole.
Nathan remembered black remote because vintage-looking.
He saved it from recycling, thinking reusable universal controller.
Later sold online.
Buyer account:
S.Bennett09.
Sarah Bennett?
Sarah denied.
Account shipping address:
Daniel Bennett Foundation office.
Could be her old shared account after husband.
Sarah admitted she created account years ago but had not used in decade.
Password maybe compromised.
Purchase delivered to office receptionist.
Recipient signature:
C. Morgan.
Claire.
Claire stared.
“I never picked that up.”
Mailroom log showed package forwarded to mansion? Shipping correction:
Attention Claire Morgan — Bennett Residence.
So remote arrived house.
Who opened package?
Housekeeper Anna remembered.
“Mrs. Margaret.”
But Margaret already dead? Timeline purchase maybe before death, 2021. Great.
Margaret bought remote herself using Sarah’s old account to hide purchase.
Why?
She wanted backup control after Thomas contingency camera? Current camera installed 2024 after Margaret died, so old remote wouldn't control new camera unless compatible configuration reused. Charles installed replacement using same legacy protocol per memo. He did not know Margaret still had remote.
Where did remote go after Margaret died?
Estate electronics box.
Peter catalogued.
He admits removing it.
“I thought it might control old gate.”
Then lost it.
Who last saw?
Eleanor.
Claire?
Peter’s assistant.
Then current system logs showed remote pairing occurred three days ago.
Physical proximity required.
Someone inside foyer paired device.
Official security camera—ironically—captured partial hand near hidden camera housing.
Woman in cream blouse.
Eleanor’s typical style.
But could be staff.
Timestamp 2:14 a.m.
Eleanor’s bedroom motion sensor showed she was asleep? Not definitive.
Claire wasn't staying mansion then.
Sarah absent.
Housekeeper Anna on night shift wore gray uniform.
No cream.
Then image enhancement showed pearl bracelet.
Eleanor owns pearl bracelet.
She finally admitted.
“I paired it.”
Ethan exploded.
“You controlled it.”
“No.”
“You paired remote three days ago.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I received red file photograph and wanted see who entered study.”
“So camera was yours.”
“No. Charles installed it.”
“But you took control.”
“Temporarily.”
“Today?”
“No.”
Who had remote after pairing?
Eleanor hid it in study desk.
This morning, gone.
Claire entered study.
Eleanor assumed Claire stole it.
That was why attack escalated.
“I thought she took red file and remote.”
“So you dragged her by hair?”
Eleanor looked down.
“Yes.”
Again, motive not excuse.
Claire denied seeing remote.
Police searched her belongings.
Nothing.
Study search found drawer forced slightly.
Fingerprint:
Sarah Bennett.
Sarah had been there overnight after meeting Claire.
She admitted.
“I took remote.”
Everyone stared.
“Why?”
“To stop Eleanor watching us.”
“Did you control camera today?”
“No.”
“Where is remote?”
“I gave it to Charles.”
Charles shook head.
“You didn't.”
Sarah realized.
She had left envelope for Charles with courier.
Courier receipt signed:
C. Reed.
Not Charles.
Courier photo captured signer.
Young man.
Approx thirty.
Charles stared.
“That’s my son.”
Ethan looked at him.
“You have a son?”
“Yes.”
Name:
May you like
Caleb Reed.
And Caleb had worked inside Bennett house security team under another surname.
