Chapter 3 - MARGOT HALE
Benjamin introduced Margot two years into the marriage.
“Family friend,” he said.
Their mothers had apparently known each other when Benjamin was young.
Margot had recently separated from her boyfriend and was raising a toddler alone.
Catherine met her only three times.
Once at a barbecue.
Once at Christmas.
Once when Benjamin asked whether Catherine knew of any firms hiring administrative assistants.
Margot was pleasant.
Quiet.
A little nervous around Benjamin in a way Catherine interpreted as old familiarity.
There was no obvious affair.
No touching.
No private jokes.
No messages lighting up Benjamin’s phone at midnight.
He was smarter than that.
Instead, Margot became a name inside ordinary explanations.
“I helped Margot update her résumé.”
“Margot’s landlord is awful.”
“Her kid was sick.”
“Her ex disappeared again.”
Catherine never objected to helping someone struggling.
When Benjamin said Margot needed temporary assistance with rent, Catherine asked only one question.
“How much?”
“Not from us. I connected her with a client who needed bookkeeping.”
That was a lie.
The first payment went out eleven days later.
$2,800.
Benjamin categorized it in their renovation account as:
Project admin retainer – MH Services.
Catherine barely noticed.
She was managing two hotel renovations and had authorized Benjamin to coordinate several upgrades at the Bethesda house while she worked.
The account held money for contractors.
Painters.
Cabinet repairs.
Landscaping.
Electrical work.
Benjamin knew exactly how much activity would look normal.
Then another payment went out.
$3,200.
Then $1,950.
Then $4,600.
May you like
Fourteen months.
Margot Hale received $47,380 from an account funded almost entirely by Catherine.
