Chapter 5 - THE BLONDE WOMAN FINALLY CALLED
Elise Warren called Melissa the next morning.
Her hair was blonde.
That alone proved nothing.
Her first sentence proved much more.
“I think I’m the reason there was hair in that wall.”
Daniel listened from Melissa’s office.
Elise had already hired her own attorney.
She did not pretend she had done everything correctly.
According to her account, Vanessa approached her two months earlier with a plausible explanation.
The Cole family wanted a museum-quality replica of Low Tide, Carmel because the original might be moved into secure storage while the gallery remained open for private events.
Vanessa claimed Daniel knew.
Elise asked who owned the painting.
Vanessa said, “The family.”
That answer was vague.
Elise should have demanded documentation.
She didn’t.
The fee was substantial, the project was technically interesting, and Vanessa presented herself as the estate’s collection manager.
Elise created the replica.
Then she was asked to oversee the original’s removal and temporary packing.
That was when things became uncomfortable.
“Where was it supposed to go?” Melissa asked.
“Vanessa first said private storage in Los Angeles.”
“Did it?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because she changed the plan.”
Vanessa asked Elise to prepare a condition report suitable for collateral review.
Daniel leaned forward.
“Collateral?”
Elise nodded on the video call.
“She said she was exploring a secured loan.”
“Against a painting she didn’t own?”
“She told me Daniel controlled it.”
Melissa corrected her.
“Daniel is trustee. That is not the same as beneficial ownership.”
“I understand that now.”
Elise looked deeply uncomfortable.
She explained that she finally searched publicly available references and asked additional questions about provenance. She learned Caroline’s estate had directed the painting into a trust for the children.
That changed everything.
Elise told Vanessa she could not participate further without written authorization from the trustee and confirmation that any proposed financial use was permitted.
Vanessa became angry.
Two nights before the confrontation with Ethan, Elise went to the estate to retrieve her working photographs, documentation, and the unsigned condition report.
Lucy saw her.
Vanessa opened the concealed wall because she had hidden the original painting there after Elise refused to move it elsewhere.
“I tried to take it out,” Elise said.
“Why?” Daniel asked.
“Because I realized leaving it there made me part of concealing it.”
Vanessa stopped her.
They argued.
During the struggle over the access panel—not a physical fight, but both women pulling at the heavy silk-covered door—Elise’s hair extensions caught in the hinge.
She yanked herself free.
Several strands tore out.
She left without the painting.
“Why didn’t you call me?” Daniel asked.
Elise looked ashamed.
“Because I spent one night trying to convince myself I could solve it professionally before admitting I should have questioned the job from the beginning.”
Daniel understood the impulse.
He did not excuse it.
Elise’s hesitation had helped Vanessa preserve the secret another twenty-four hours.
That twenty-four hours ended with Vanessa slapping Ethan.
Before the call ended, Elise gave them one more piece of information.
Vanessa had never said she wanted to sell Low Tide, Carmel.
She wanted to borrow against it.
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The proposed loan amount was $500,000.
And according to Elise, Vanessa needed the money before the end of the month.
