Chapter 5 - The Other Whitmore Woman
Catherine Whitmore was not Claire’s secret mother.
DNA and birth records confirmed Julia gave birth to Claire.
Catherine was Julia’s older sister.
Why had Claire never heard of her?
Because sisters became estranged before Claire’s birth.
Catherine worked for Whitmore Residential Services alongside Lawrence.
Julia believed Catherine protected uncle’s accounting practices.
Catherine claimed she was secretly collecting evidence.
Neither trusted other.
Then Catherine vanished from public records in 1999.
Not necessarily physically missing.
She changed surname after marriage:
Catherine Bell.
Claire found her in Arizona.
Alive.
Sixty-one.
She agreed video call only after Richard left room.
“I don't trust Hales.”
Claire asked:
“Why?”
“Because your mother didn't.”
“Richard is my father.”
“I know.”
“Did Mom hate him?”
“No.”
Another reversal.
Julia loved Richard.
She feared Richard’s father Edward.
Why?
Edward Hale discovered relocation discrepancies and ordered internal review.
That sounds good.
But Catherine believed Edward intended quietly reimburse money without exposing Lawrence or municipal officials, protecting company reputation.
Julia wanted public disclosure.
Richard asked from doorway:
“Was my father involved in theft?”
Catherine heard.
“No.”
Richard entered.
“Then why did Julia hide Claire from us?”
“Because Edward offered Julia money.”
Richard went still.
How much?
$250,000.
For silence?
Catherine said that was what Julia believed.
But documents later showed payment may have been whistleblower settlement/security relocation fund.
Intent disputed.
Julia refused.
Then left Claire with Morgans.
The next night fire.
Again no evidence fire deliberate.
Catherine had not seen Julia afterward.
Then why fake Adrian target Claire now?
Catherine became frightened.
“Did he call himself Adrian Cole?”
“Yes.”
She closed eyes.
“He contacted me too.”
When?
Four months ago.
He claimed to represent Mercer Residential Capital—Ethan’s company.
He asked Catherine sign affidavit stating Richard Hale had stolen Ashford funds.
She refused because false.
The man became threatening?
Not physically.
He warned old records would expose Catherine.
Expose what?
Catherine had moved $92,000 from Whitmore account in 1998.
She insisted it was emergency relocation money for seven families.
No authorization.
She feared it looked like theft.
Where money went could be verified.
Six recipient families or descendants confirmed receiving emergency cash.
Seventh remained unknown.
So Catherine acted improperly but largely protectively.
Then Claire asked:
“Who was seventh?”
Catherine stared.
“Your mother.”
Julia received $14,000.
Claire’s stomach tightened.
Three days later she placed Claire with Morgans.
Was money for disappearance?
Catherine said:
“I gave it to her so she could leave.”
“Leave Richard?”
“Leave Richmond.”
“Why?”
“Because someone had begun following her.”
“Who?”
Catherine never knew.
But Julia wrote license plate.
Catherine still had notebook.
Richard recognized plate prefix.
Vehicle was registered to Hale Development fleet.
Claire looked at him.
“Your family followed her.”
Richard shook head.
“Hundreds of employees used fleet vehicles.”
Then Catherine read full plate.
Richard’s face changed.
He knew exact vehicle.
It belonged to executive office.
May you like
Assigned primarily to Edward Hale.
Richard’s father.
