Chapter 47
Riley’s note read: Tyson, thank you for saving my life. I owe you a debt I can never repay. I’m not sure where we go from here. I’m torn. I really am. I like you. But if it comes down to it, I can’t testify against Shane. I will always choose family, and I don’t want to be in that position.
I suspected Shane had called her and told her what he was up to. Maybe he had wanted her help getting out of town after the deed was done.
I was tired, but still amped up on adrenaline.
I couldn’t make up my mind if I wanted to fix breakfast, or just fall into bed.
I opted for breakfast, but I took Buddy out for a quick walk first. I tried calling Riley, but she didn’t pick up the phone.
I left a message. “I got your note. I’m sorry, but I’ve got some bad news for you. Call me when you get a chance.”
I ended the call and slipped the phone back into my pocket.
I still had my suspicions. Even if Riley was involved, I’d never be able to make anything stick. I don’t think I wanted to either. Any evidence I did drum up would get tossed easily.
When I got back to the boat, I grilled up ham and cheese omelettes, sizzled bacon in a pan, and brewed coffee. At times like this, I could often drink a cup and fall right asleep.
JD and I chowed down at the breakfast nook and talked about everything that had happened.
My phone buzzed with a call from an unknown number.
I wasn’t in the mood to deal with any more drama, but I answered anyway. “This is Deputy Wild.”
“Deputy, this is Wes Emerson with Island Wealth Asset Management. We handle the portfolios and trusts for Preston Hollister.”
“How can I help you?”
“I wasn’t sure who to talk to. I just spoke to a lovely-sounding deputy at the sheriff’s office, and she suggested I call you with this information. She said you’re working the case.”
“You spoke to Denise.”
“Yes, that was her name. Anyway, there was an odd change prior to Preston‘s passing. As you can imagine, any kind of last-minute change requires extra scrutiny. It doesn’t always mean that something is wrong, but we just like to make sure all the I’s are dotted, and the T’s are crossed.”
"I'm listening."
"Preston's trust was amended. As per the original document, the trustee was to pass control of Preston Capital Management to the Preston Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. PCM is the holding company for all of Preston’s assets. The amended document now has PCM passing to the Preston Foundation Holdings LLC. That LLC is not a nonprofit, and it is controlled by Judy Hollister.”
That hung there for a moment.
Wes continued. “Now, if that were Preston's dying wishes, then so shall it be.
But in all my recent dealings with Preston, he expressed to me his desire to pass the majority of his estate to the Preston Foundation.
What strikes me as particularly suspicious is the similarity between the names of the two entities.
" He paused. "Now, I was not present when the document was amended, nor did I spend any time with Preston at his home when he was in hospice. But I would imagine that someone in a compromised state of mind, as Preston most likely was, might not be aware of the differences between those two entities when he signed the amended document.”
"Who is the trustee?”
“His attorney, Bryce Van Allen.” He paused. “Look, this may totally be aboveboard. But I thought I should bring it to someone's attention. This is a lot of money. Billions of dollars.”
"Thank you for the heads up. I'd like to get copies of those documents if at all possible."
"These are non-probate assets. These documents will not be filed with the court, and there will be no public record. I believe I can provide these to you without a warrant, but let me check with legal and get back to you.”
I thanked him, then ended the call and updated Jack.
“I say we have a talk with Bryce,” JD said.
“After I get some sleep.”