Betsy nodded as they stepped inside the showroom. The police had already scanned for fingerprints, clothing fibers, hair, and other clues in both buildings. “Yes. I get the feeling there’s something I don’t know. What would that be?”
Motioning everyone to the customer waiting area, she grabbed bottled water for each of them from the free vending machine she’d had installed. This area was one of the few sections of the building that had been overlooked, deliberately or not, by the intruders.
Mr. Crestfall settled at one of the mostly clean tables and opened his briefcase. “My guess is that it has to do with the three large claims previously filed by the dealership.”
She frowned. “Sure, we’ve had a few claims through the years. Nothing out of line, though. Nothing major, that I can recall.”
“Two of these would have been before your ownership happened. In fact, they both occurred within a year of each other, over twenty years ago.”
Cain cleared his throat. “So that would have been back when the place was called Carrington & Son New and Used Cars?”
“Yes.” The insurance agent sorted through some papers he’d laid on the table, then opened his laptop and started typing. “My agency has handled all the dealership’s insurance business since it originally opened. The claims have stayed with the ongoing policy.”
Cain moved away from the wall and stepped closer. “Betsy, I remember you said you kept the same policy because of the cheaper premiums. Right?”
“Yes, I was advised to keep the same policy,” she said, starting to pace.
“Who told you to do that?”
“Papa Carrington.” She pointed at Mr. Crestfall. “He said he’d checked everything out with you before he transferred ninety-five percent of the business to me. Said you told him that would be the cheapest way to go for insurance.”
The insurance agent checked something on his computer. Took a moment to read whatever had come up on his screen. “Yes, Mr. Carrington and I met about a month before Phillip and your wedding. Papa C gave me an overview of how he planned to give you majority ownership of the business. I compiled some options to consider on the insurance needs and premiums. In fact, a couple of the plans would have been a cheaper premium than what Papa C ended up choosing.”
“Then why did you recommend staying with the same policy?”
“I didn’t.” Mr. Crestfall adamantly shook his head. “As a matter of fact, I showed him all the paperwork that would need new signatures. He said he’d need to talk to his partners and get back to me the next day. I even printed a packet out for him to take home for consideration. I assumed he’d be talking with you also.”
Questions were being answered, but the answers were only leading to other questions.
“I need some coffee,” Betsy said as she moved to the individual coffee maker in the customer service waiting area. “How about you two?”
Thankful for a moment to let the tension in the room ease, Cain made a strong black coffee for himself. As did Mr. Crestfall. Making herself a second cup of coffee, she poured both into her coffee tumbler. Added a few creamers and a couple sugar packets. She looked tired.
Mr. Crestfall’s phone rang, and he told the adjusters, who were just finishing up in the service center, to leave for the day once they were done in that building. Said they’d finish in the showroom and administrative offices tomorrow morning.
“Okay, back to the questions,” Betsy said. “I assume the partners were Phillip and”—she shrugged—“Who? Did Shorestone keep a partial ownership?”
“Oh no, when Mr. Shorestone left to run for office, he sold out entirely. Mr. Carrington was never overly forthcoming about his new investors.” The insurance agent shut down his computer and closed the lid. “The few times I tried to get an answer, he said the group was a private partnership between a few people who wished to remain anonymous. Made it appear they were people familiar with Crayton, who wanted nothing more than to give back to the community. My guess is he pays them an agreed amount out of his share of the business.”
She shot Cain a look. Raised her eyebrows. “Going back to the new policy conversation, when did Papa C call back with his answer?”
Cain was proud of her. She was staying on top of everything being discussed and not flinching a bit at what was being thrown at her. He was also impressed by the way Mr. Crestfall was handling this conversation. As far as he could tell, the insurance agent was being forthcoming and honest.
“Bright and early the next morning. And I mean he woke me from a sound sleep at four thirty a.m.” Mr. Crestfall quirked the side of his mouth. “You know, I receive a lot of calls at all times of the night. But that’s the only time I can recall someone calling that early when it wasn’t a matter of life and death. Or some kind of catastrophic loss. I remember, he sounded like the whole world depended on me knowing ASAP.”
Betsy looked thoughtful. “I know what you mean. Sometimes Papa C can be on edge for no reason. Especially when a big decision is needed.”
Mr. Crestfall shoved his laptop into his briefcase. “Well, in this case, his answer was no. Leave everything the way it was, except add your name as controlling owner at ninety-five percent, and he was reduced to five percent ownership. He also added Phillip as an employee which was the first time his son had been officially added as anything in the business. Papa C changed the business name on the policy to Peyton’s. Plus, added you and Phillip to the business partner life insurance.”
Cain had a gut reaction. One that said ask the next question, but Betsy didn’t ask. Probably didn’t know what that question would automatically be in a criminal case.
“I’m sure Betsy would like to make sure the correct people are on the business partner life insurance,” Cain said in a nonchalant way. “Maybe you could send her a list.”
“Sure. I’ll send you an email.” Mr. Crestfall entered a voice note in his phone to do that. “But I can tell you right now, it’s just a few people. Betsy, Papa Carrington, Earl Millerton, Steven Millerton and Cain Connery.”
“Cain? Why?” she asked.
“Papa C called the day after you put Mr. Connery on the regular company liability insurance. Said to put a two-million-dollar business life policy on him.” Mr. Crestfall looked up another note on his phone. “Said you had approved it personally, Betsy.”
