Chapter 4 - What Dad Had Been Investigating Before He Died
The financial records gave Claire the next piece.
Coastal Heritage Advisory was a small art-consulting company.
On paper, nothing unusual.
It coordinated conservation projects, appraisals, transportation, and private collection management.
The problem was ownership.
The company was controlled through a holding LLC in South Carolina.
That LLC was partly owned by Evelyn.
My mother.
She had never disclosed that relationship to the foundation committee approving certain payments.
Dad discovered it by accident.
One of the museum’s conservators questioned why a routine frame restoration had produced three separate consulting invoices.
Dad pulled earlier files.
Then more.
Over four years, Coastal Heritage Advisory received approximately $412,000 in fees connected to projects involving the Bennett Conservation Fund.
Not all of those payments were fraudulent.
That distinction became important later.
The company had performed actual work.
Coordinated shipping.
Managed insurance.
Arranged specialists.
But the rates were inflated.
Some work appeared duplicated.
And Evelyn had been participating in discussions where the company was selected without disclosing that she financially benefited.
Dad was furious.
Not only because of money.
Because the Bennett name sat on the fund.
If anyone discovered the conflict first, the museum could reasonably believe Thomas Bennett had known.
Dad hated the idea of his reputation becoming cover for someone else’s undisclosed interest.
He confronted Evelyn.
Mom told him Coastal Heritage had saved the museum time and money.
Dad answered:
“That isn’t the question.”
He wanted the relationship disclosed.
He wanted an independent audit.
He wanted Evelyn removed from any foundation committee dealing with vendors tied to her.
Mom believed he was humiliating her over what she called “technical paperwork.”
Dad thought she had crossed a governance line.
The argument spread into their marriage.
Then Claire entered the picture because Dad needed someone outside museum politics to review the numbers.
That was why Mom hated knowing Claire was investigating.
May you like
Not because Claire had deceived me for no reason.
Because Claire had become the person holding the thread Dad started pulling before he died.
