Chapter 6
The initial S. Pierce might refer to Samuel.
But they weren't making assumptions.
I stared at the wall.
Logan had spoken about my sister's funeral.
He had arranged a funeral service under his father's initial.
And my car had been found in a condition that could have caused a serious accident.
The pieces didn't fit.
Not yet.
I had met Samuel Pierce only a handful of times.
He and Carolyn had divorced when Logan was in university.
Their relationship was bitter, and Logan rarely spoke about his father without contempt.
Samuel owned a small accounting practice and had remarried several years earlier.
He lived a quiet life in Connecticut with his second wife, Diane.
I knew he and Logan had argued about money.
But I hadn't realized how serious the disagreement had become.
The investigators contacted Samuel.
He confirmed that he was alive and had not authorized any funeral arrangements.
He also revealed something that changed the direction of the investigation.
Two months earlier, Logan had asked him for a substantial loan.
Samuel had refused.
According to Samuel, Logan had become furious and accused him of abandoning his own son.
Then Logan had made a statement Samuel initially dismissed as an expression of anger.
“You'll regret this when I'm the one making decisions about your estate.”
Samuel had told him to leave.
They hadn't spoken since.
The police were now looking at more than one possible target.
They examined Logan's communications, financial circumstances, and the available evidence concerning the vehicle and funeral booking.
I was advised not to contact him.
I didn't.
But Logan continued trying to contact me.
His messages became increasingly erratic.
At first, he acted as though nothing unusual had happened.
Where are the car papers?
Why isn't your car in the driveway?
Then he became angry.
Are you trying to make me look like a criminal?
You have no idea what you're doing.
Finally, he sent a message that made my skin crawl.
You should have just done what you were supposed to do.
I forwarded it to the investigator.
On the third day, Logan was taken into custody in connection with the investigation.
The authorities had developed sufficient grounds to pursue criminal proceedings, although the exact charges and their ultimate disposition would depend on the evidence and applicable law.
I learned about the arrest from my attorney, Rebecca Lawson, whom Megan had helped me retain.