The Millionaire's Son Stopped the Trial With One Name

CHAPTER 3 -- The Dead Woman's Voice

The judge ordered an immediate recess.

Police escorted Thomas into a protected witness room while investigators verified the key. Edward demanded custody of his nephew, but the judge refused.

Three hours later, Detective Inspector Helen Ward returned carrying a sealed evidence case.

Inside the Harrow Bank vault, officers had discovered financial ledgers, forged transfer documents and a small digital recorder.

The jury was brought back.

Edward sat motionless as Catherine's voice filled the courtroom.

"If this recording is being heard, something has happened to me."

Thomas closed his eyes.

It was the first time he had heard his mother's voice in two years.

Catherine described how Edward had transferred money from Thomas's trust into companies registered under false names. She also revealed that Edward had bribed Dr. Malcolm Reed to diagnose her with depression.

"I am not suicidal," Catherine continued. "I am afraid of my brother-in-law."

Clara began to cry.

But Edward's attorney stood.

"The recording proves financial concerns, not murder. Mrs. Harrow may have fallen accidentally."

Edward slowly smiled.

Then the detective removed another item from the case.

It was Catherine's old tablet.

Technicians had recovered an automatically synchronized audio file recorded on the night of her death.

Edward's voice came first.

"Give me the key."

"No," Catherine answered. "Everything goes to the police tomorrow."

A struggle followed.

Then came the sound of breaking wood and Catherine gasping.

The recording ended before the fall.

Edward's attorney argued that someone could have manipulated the file.

Thomas suddenly remembered something.

"Clara's phone."

Everyone looked at him.

"She called my mother that night. The call stayed connected."

Clara's seized phone had never been included in the evidence presented at trial. Police records showed that Edward's private security chief had collected it from Harrow Hall.

The judge ordered the device located immediately.

A court officer hurried outside.

Minutes later, he returned pale and breathless.

"The evidence locker containing Miss Bennett's phone was opened last night."

"By whom?" the judge demanded.

The officer looked toward Edward's empty chair.

No one had noticed him leave.

Then an alarm sounded from the corridor.

Thomas was no longer in the protected witness room.

On the table lay his torn gray jacket and a handwritten message.

Withdraw Clara's testimony--or the Harrow heir will join his mother.