Chapter 7: ## Chapter 7: Someone Had Been Using My Name
“That's impossible: Someone Had Been Using My Name
“That's impossible.””
The words came out before Patricia Lane had.””
The words came out before Patricia Lane had finished speaking.
I stood in the dining room with my phone pressed to my ear, staring at Vanessa while she shook finished speaking.
I stood in the dining room with my phone pressed to my ear, staring at Vanessa while she shook her head so violently that her earrings swung against her neck.
“I never signed anything like that,” I told the lawyer.
“I've never contacted her head so violently that her earrings swung against her neck.
“I never signed anything like that,” I told the lawyer.
“I've never contacted another student's family about a scholarship.””
“I understand, Mr. Mercer,” Patricia replied.
“That's why I'm another student's family about a scholarship.””
“I understand, Mr. Mercer,” Patricia replied.
“That's why I'm calling you directly. Our foundation has preserved the document, the email headers, and the associated transaction records. We are not asking you to accept responsibility for something calling you directly.
Our foundation has preserved the document, the email headers, and the associated transaction records. We are not asking you to accept responsibility for something you didn't do.””
“Then what are you asking?””
“We need your cooperation in establishing how your you didn't do.””
“Then what are you asking?””
“We need your cooperation in establishing how your identity was used.””
I glanced at Zoria.
She had heard enough to understand that something terrible was happening again. K identity was used.””
I glanced at Zoria.
She had heard enough to understand that something terrible was happening again. Kendra was still beside her, but their hands had separated.
“Can you send me the document?”” I asked.
“I can arrange for a secure copy through our legal teamendra was still beside her, but their hands had separated.
“Can you send me the document?”” I asked.
“I can arrange for a secure copy through our legal team. I also recommend that you preserve every message connected to this matter and avoid contacting Mr. Cole directly until the records have been reviewed.””
I nodded,. I also recommend that you preserve every message connected to this matter and avoid contacting Mr. Cole directly until the records have been reviewed.””
I nodded, though she couldn't see me.
“Send it.””
After we ended the call, the room remained silent.
Then Vanessa whispered, “Daniel, you though she couldn't see me.
“Send it.””
After we ended the call, the room remained silent.
Then Vanessa whispered, “Daniel, you have to believe me.””
I lowered my phone.
“Believe you about what?””
“I didn't sign that document.””
“Did you give Adrian my have to believe me.””
I lowered my phone.
“Believe you about what?””
“I didn't sign that document.””
“Did you give Adrian my signature?””
“No.””
“Did you give him access to documents containing my signature?””
She hesitated.
The signature?””
“No.””
“Did you give him access to documents containing my signature?””
She hesitated.
The pause was small.
It was enough.
“Vanessa.””
“I gave him copies of some financial paperwork. He said he needed proof of household income and family expenses pause was small.
It was enough.
“Vanessa.””
“I gave him copies of some financial paperwork. He said he needed proof of household income and family expenses.””
“Were those documents signed?””
“Some of them.””
“By me?””
She looked down.
.””
“Were those documents signed?””
“Some of them.””
“By me?””
She looked down.
“I don't remember.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“You gave a man“I don't remember.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“You gave a man you barely knew copies of our financial records, and you don't remember what was you barely knew copies of our financial records, and you don't remember what was in them?””
“He was supposed to help Kendra!””
“And now someone is using my name to in them?””
“He was supposed to help Kendra!””
“And now someone is using my name to approach other families whose children received scholarships.””
Vanessa began crying.
“I didn't know approach other families whose children received scholarships.””
Vanessa began crying.
“I didn't know.””
I wanted to believe that she hadn't known the full extent of what Adrian was doing. I wanted to believe she had made a terrible decision out of fear and insecurity rather than.””
I wanted to believe that she hadn't known the full extent of what Adrian was doing. I wanted to believe she had made a terrible decision out of fear and insecurity rather than knowingly joined a scheme to manipulate students.
But belief was no longer enough.
There were knowingly joined a scheme to manipulate students.
But belief was no longer enough.
There were documents to preserve, money to trace, and two young women whose lives had documents to preserve, money to trace, and two young women whose lives had been turned upside down.
I stepped away from Vanessa and called our attorney.
While been turned upside down.
I stepped away from Vanessa and called our attorney.
While the phone rang, Zoria pulled a chair toward the table.
“Dad, is this because of me?””
I the phone rang, Zoria pulled a chair toward the table.
“Dad, is this because of me?””
I turned immediately.
“No.””
“But if I hadn't accepted the scholarship—”
“Stop.”” I crouched beside her.
“Listen turned immediately.
“No.””
“But if I hadn't accepted the scholarship—”
“Stop.”” I crouched beside her.
“Listen to me. You earned that scholarship. Someone decided your achievement was useful to to me. You earned that scholarship.
Someone decided your achievement was useful to them, and someone else decided your future was a problem to be solved. None of them, and someone else decided your future was a problem to be solved. None of that is your fault.””
Her eyes filled.
“I keep thinking if I'd just stayed quiet, everyone would still be that is your fault.””
Her eyes filled.
“I keep thinking if I'd just stayed quiet, everyone would still be happy.””
I took her hands.
“Would you have been happy?””
She didn't answer.
“Would you have been happy watching happy.””
I took her hands.
“Would you have been happy?””
She didn't answer.
“Would you have been happy watching everyone celebrate your graduation while you spent the next year wondering what you did wrong?””
A tear everyone celebrate your graduation while you spent the next year wondering what you did wrong?””
A tear slipped down her slipped down her cheek.
“No.””
“Then don't confuse silence with peace, sweetheart. Sometimes silence just gives people more room to hurt you.””
Our attorney answered, and I explained the situation as clearly as I could. He instructed me to preserve the original documents, avoid altering cheek.
“No.””
“Then don't confuse silence with peace, sweetheart. Sometimes silence just gives people more room to hurt you.””
Our attorney answered, and I explained the situation as clearly as I could. He instructed me to preserve the original documents, avoid altering any relevant devices or accounts, and arrange a meeting the following morning.
He also told me not to confront Adrian alone.
When I ended the call, Kendra any relevant devices or accounts, and arrange a meeting the following morning.
He also told me not to confront Adrian alone.
When I ended the call, Kendra was standing beside the window.
“Dad?””
“Yes?””
“Can I tell you something without Mom interrupt was standing beside the window.
“Dad?””
“Yes?””
“Can I tell you something without Mom interrupting?””
Vanessa opened her mouth.
Kendra raised a hand.
“Please.””
Her mother closed it again.
Kendra returneding?””
Vanessa opened her mouth.
Kendra raised a hand.
“Please.””
Her mother closed it again.
Kendra returned to the table and sat across from me.
“Three weeks ago, Mom asked me to take a photograph of your to the table and sat across from me.
“Three weeks ago, Mom asked me to take a photograph of your signature.””
I stared at her.
“What?””
“She said she needed it for a household financial signature.””
I stared at her.
“What?””
“She said she needed it for a household financial form. She gave me a paper you had signed and asked me to take a clear picture with her phone.””
Vanessa went form. She gave me a paper you had signed and asked me to take a clear picture with her phone.””
Vanessa went rigid.
“Kendra, that is not what happened.””
Kendra looked at her.
“Then tell rigid.
“Kendra, that is not what happened.””
Kendra looked at her.
“Then tell me what happened.””
Vanessa said nothing.
Kendra continued.
“I thought it was a normal form. Mom said you were at work and she needed to submit it before the deadline. I didn't think me what happened.””
Vanessa said nothing.
Kendra continued.
“I thought it was a normal form. Mom said you were at work and she needed to submit it before the deadline. I didn't think anything of it.””
“Did you know she was sending documents to Adrian?””
“No. I didn't even know anything of it.””
“Did you know she was sending documents to Adrian?””
“No. I didn't even know who Adrian was until tonight.””
I rubbed my forehead.
“Did you send the photograph to anyone?””
“Mom took who Adrian was until tonight.””
I rubbed my forehead.
“Did you send the photograph to anyone?””
“Mom took the picture. I didn't send it anywhere.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“This is being twisted the picture. I didn't send it anywhere.””
Vanessa shook her head.
“This is being twisted into something it wasn't.””
Kendra's voice trembled.
“You told me to take the picture, Mom. You said it was for a financial form. You into something it wasn't.””
Kendra's voice trembled.
“You told me to take the picture, Mom. You said it was for a financial form. You didn't tell me someone might use Dad's signature to contact another family.””
“I didn't know anyone would do that!””
“Then why are you so afraid of the didn't tell me someone might use Dad's signature to contact another family.””
“I didn't know anyone would do that!””
“Then why are you so afraid of the document?””
Vanessa turned away.
For several seconds, the only sound in the room was the ticking clock document?””
Vanessa turned away.
For several seconds, the only sound in the room was the ticking clock above the kitchen doorway.
Then Z above the kitchen doorway.
Then Zoria spoke.
“Dad, I think I know who the other student is.””
I looked at her.
“Who?””
“Lily Bennett.””
The name Patricia had mentioned had been Lily's. Zoria and Lily had been friends since sophomore year. They had studied together for exams, shared notes, and spent countless afternoons in the school library preparing theiroria spoke.
“Dad, I think I know who the other student is.””
I looked at her.
“Who?””
“Lily Bennett.””
The name Patricia had mentioned had been Lily's. Zoria and Lily had been friends since sophomore year. They had studied together for exams, shared notes, and spent countless afternoons in the school library preparing their university applications.
Lily had earned a full scholarship to Westbridge two weeks before Zoria.
When she announced she wouldn't be attending, Zoria had assumed her family university applications.
Lily had earned a full scholarship to Westbridge two weeks before Zoria.
When she announced she wouldn't be attending, Zoria had assumed her family had changed plans.
“You talked to her?”” I asked.
“Not since the announcement. She sent me a message saying things had gotten complicated at home had changed plans.
“You talked to her?”” I asked.
“Not since the announcement. She sent me a message saying things had gotten complicated at home. She said she was taking a gap year.””
Zoria pulled out her phone and searched her messages.
“Here.””
She showed me the conversation.
Lily had written. She said she was taking a gap year.””
Zoria pulled out her phone and searched her messages.
“Here.””
She showed me the conversation.
Lily had written:
I know we planned to go together, but I can't do it anymore. I'm sorry.
Z:
I know we planned to go together, but I can't do it anymore. I'm sorry.
Zoria had replied:
Did something happen? You can tell me.
Lily's response had arrived several hours later.
*It's family stuff. Pleaseoria had replied:
Did something happen? You can tell me.
Lily's response had arrived several hours later.
It's family stuff. Please don't make me explain.
I read the exchange twice.
“Did she ever mention Adrian Cole?””
“No.””
“Did she know your don't make me explain.*
I read the exchange twice.
“Did she ever mention Adrian Cole?””
“No.””
“Did she know your mother was involved in your withdrawal?””
Zoria shook her head.
“I don't think so.””
Kendra leaned closer to the screen.
“ mother was involved in your withdrawal?””
Zoria shook her head.
“I don't think so.””
Kendra leaned closer to the screen.
“Maybe she was told the same thing you were told.””
“What do you mean?”” I asked.
Kendra looked toward herMaybe she was told the same thing you were told.””
“What do you mean?”” I asked.
Kendra looked toward her mother.
“Mom kept saying scholarship students sometimes turn down awards because they realize college mother.
“Mom kept saying scholarship students sometimes turn down awards because they realize college isn't right for them. She said there were always people waiting for those opportunities.””
Vanessa sat down heavily.
“I was repeating isn't right for them. She said there were always people waiting for those opportunities.””
Vanessa sat down heavily.
“I was repeating what Adrian told me.””
“Did he tell you that about Lily?”” I asked.
She nodded faintly.
“He said another student had withdrawn, and what Adrian told me.””
“Did he tell you that about Lily?”” I asked.
She nodded faintly.
“He said another student had withdrawn, and that was how he found the funding arrangement for Kendra.””
Zoria's face went pale.
“Lily was the other student.””
that was how he found the funding arrangement for Kendra.””
Zoria's face went pale.
“Lily was the other student.””
No one answered.
She stared at her phone, her thumb hovering above Lily's name.
“I need to call her.””
OurNo one answered.
She stared at her phone, her thumb hovering above Lily's name.
“I need to call her.””
Our attorney had advised against contacting Adrian, not Lily. Still attorney had advised against contacting Adrian, not Lily. Still, I asked Zoria to wait until we had spoken to Patricia again.
She nodded reluctantly.
Then her phone rang.
Lily's name appeared on the screen.
, I asked Zoria to wait until we had spoken to Patricia again.
She nodded reluctantly.
Then her phone rang.
Lily's name appeared on the screen.
Zoria answered immediately.
“Lily?””
A shaky breath came through the speaker.
“Zoria, I'm sorry.””
Zoria answered immediately.
“Lily?””
A shaky breath came through the speaker.
“Zoria, I'm sorry.””
Zoria sat down.
“Sorry for what?””
“I heard about your scholarship.””
“How?””
“My mom received a callZoria sat down.
“Sorry for what?””
“I heard about your scholarship.””
“How?””
“My mom received a call from someone at the foundation. They said there might be a problem with the paperwork connected to my withdrawal.””
Zoria's eyes widened.
“Did you actually withdraw?””
There was a long pause from someone at the foundation. They said there might be a problem with the paperwork connected to my withdrawal.””
Zoria's eyes widened.
“Did you actually withdraw?””
There was a long pause.
“No,” Lily whispered.
“I didn't.””
I leaned closer.
Zoria put the call on speaker.
“What do.
“No,” Lily whispered.
“I didn't.””
I leaned closer.
Zoria put the call on speaker.
“What do you mean you didn't?””
“I accepted the scholarship. I signed the enrollment forms. Then a man came to our house and told my mom there had been a mistake in the award calculations. He said I wasn't supposed you mean you didn't?””
“I accepted the scholarship. I signed the enrollment forms. Then a man came to our house and told my mom there had been a mistake in the award calculations. He said I wasn't supposed to receive the full amount because some of my financial information had been entered incorrectly.””
“Who was the man?””
“ to receive the full amount because some of my financial information had been entered incorrectly.””
“Who was the man?””
“Adrian Cole.””
Vanessa covered her mouth.
Lily continued, her voice trembling.
“He said if I agreed to postpone enrollment, the foundation wouldAdrian Cole.””
Vanessa covered her mouth.
Lily continued, her voice trembling.
“He said if I agreed to postpone enrollment, the foundation would cover my tuition the following year. My mom was terrified we'd have to pay everything back if the university decided the award was invalid cover my tuition the following year. My mom was terrified we'd have to pay everything back if the university decided the award was invalid.””
Zoria gripped the phone.
“So you didn't want to leave Westbridge?””
“No! I wanted to go with you. I had my room assignment.””
Zoria gripped the phone.
“So you didn't want to leave Westbridge?””
“No! I wanted to go with you. I had my room assignment.
I bought notebooks. I even made a list of the classes I wanted to take.””
Her voice broke.
“Then the university sent. I bought notebooks. I even made a list of the classes I wanted to take.””
Her voice broke.
“Then the university sent me a letter saying my enrollment status had changed. By the time we realized something was wrong, I was too scared to fight it.””
Zoria closed her eyes.
“ me a letter saying my enrollment status had changed. By the time we realized something was wrong, I was too scared to fight it.””
Zoria closed her eyes.
“Lily, I'm so sorry.””
“You didn't do anything.””
“I should have called you.””
“I should have called you, too.””
The girls wereLily, I'm so sorry.””
“You didn't do anything.””
“I should have called you.””
“I should have called you, too.””
The girls were silent for a moment.
Then Lily asked, “Did your mom have anything to do with it?””
Zoria glanced at Vanessa.
“I don't know everything yet. But my silent for a moment.
Then Lily asked, “Did your mom have anything to do with it?””
Zoria glanced at Vanessa.
“I don't know everything yet. But my mom signed an agreement involving your scholarship.””
A quiet sob came mom signed an agreement involving your scholarship.””
A quiet sob came through the phone.
“My mom told me she thought your family was part of the arrangement.””
I felt a chill move through me.
“What arrangement?”” I asked.
through the phone.
“My mom told me she thought your family was part of the arrangement.””
I felt a chill move through me.
“What arrangement?”” I asked.
Lily heard my voice and paused.
“Who's that?””
“ZoriaLily heard my voice and paused.
“Who's that?””
“Zoria's father,” I said.
“I'm here with her.””
After a brief explanation, Lily told us that Adrian had presented the agreement as a private educational's father,” I said.
“I'm here with her.””
After a brief explanation, Lily told us that Adrian had presented the agreement as a private educational funding program. He had promised her family that postponing her enrollment would not affect her eligibility and that her place at funding program. He had promised her family that postponing her enrollment would not affect her eligibility and that her place at Westbridge would be protected.
He had also shown them a document bearing my name.
A document stating that I had agreed to cooperate with the arrangement.
My stomach tightened.
“ Westbridge would be protected.
He had also shown them a document bearing my name.
A document stating that I had agreed to cooperate with the arrangement.
My stomach tightened.
“Did you keep a copy?”” I asked.
“My mom did. She was so worriedDid you keep a copy?”” I asked.
“My mom did. She was so worried about everything that she saved every paper he gave us.””
“Would she be willing to speak with our attorney?””
“I about everything that she saved every paper he gave us.””
“Would she be willing to speak with our attorney?””
“I think so. She's been trying to find out what happened.””
Zoria wiped her cheeks.
“Lily, we're going to help you. I don't think so. She's been trying to find out what happened.””
Zoria wiped her cheeks.
“Lily, we're going to help you. I don't know how yet, but we're going to find out what he did.””
“Thank you,” Lily whispered.
After the call ended, Zoria sat motionless.
For months know how yet, but we're going to find out what he did.””
“Thank you,” Lily whispered.
After the call ended, Zoria sat motionless.
For months, Lily had apparently believed her family had failed to protect her. Zoria had believed she had failed her own family. Both girls had been pushed into, Lily had apparently believed her family had failed to protect her.
Zoria had believed she had failed her own family. Both girls had been pushed into silence by people who claimed to be helping them.
I looked at Vanessa.
“Did Adrian tell you Lily's family had agreed to the arrangement?””
She nodded slowly.
“He said they understood silence by people who claimed to be helping them.
I looked at Vanessa.
“Did Adrian tell you Lily's family had agreed to the arrangement?””
She nodded slowly.
“He said they understood the funding process.””
“Did he show you the document with my name?””
Vanessa hesitated the funding process.””
“Did he show you the document with my name?””
Vanessa hesitated.
“Yes.””
“Did you question it?””
“He said you had signed it through an electronic authorization.””
I stared at her.
“You never asked me?””
.
“Yes.””
“Did you question it?””
“He said you had signed it through an electronic authorization.””
I stared at her.
“You never asked me?””
“I thought you might have agreed to it without telling me.””
“Why would I agree to help someone interfere“I thought you might have agreed to it without telling me.””
“Why would I agree to help someone interfere with our daughter's scholarship?””
She lowered her head.
“I don't know.””
The answer was the first honest thing she had said in several minutes.
But it wasn't enough with our daughter's scholarship?””
She lowered her head.
“I don't know.””
The answer was the first honest thing she had said in several minutes.
But it wasn't enough.
I looked at the agreement on the table.
“Tomorrow morning, we're taking all of this to the university.
I looked at the agreement on the table.
“Tomorrow morning, we're taking all of this to the university and our attorney. Every document. Every message. Every payment.””
Vanessa looked up sharply.
“You can't expose the whole arrangement. They'll and our attorney. Every document.
Every message. Every payment.””
Vanessa looked up sharply.
“You can't expose the whole arrangement. They'll investigate Kendra, too.””
“Kendra has done nothing wrong by accepting the possibility of help she believed was legitimate.””
investigate Kendra, too.””
“Kendra has done nothing wrong by accepting the possibility of help she believed was legitimate.””
“What if they think she was involved?””
“Then we'll provide the truth.””
Kendra stood beside her stepsister.
“I'll tell them everything I“What if they think she was involved?””
“Then we'll provide the truth.””
Kendra stood beside her stepsister.
“I'll tell them everything I know.””
Vanessa stared at her.
“You would testify against your own mother?””
Kendra's face crumpled.
“I don't want to testify against you. I want you know.””
Vanessa stared at her.
“You would testify against your own mother?””
Kendra's face crumpled.
“I don't want to testify against you. I want you to stop making me choose between you and doing what's right.””
Vanessa looked at me, searching for support.
I had none to give her.
to stop making me choose between you and doing what's right.””
Vanessa looked at me, searching for support.
I had none to give her.
She walked upstairs without another word.
A few minutes later, I heard a bedroom door close.
She walked upstairs without another word.
A few minutes later, I heard a bedroom door close.
I stayed downstairs with the girls, helping them organize the documents into separate folders. Zoria kept the scholarship records. Kendra gathered the messages she'dI stayed downstairs with the girls, helping them organize the documents into separate folders.
Zoria kept the scholarship records. Kendra gathered the messages she'd received about the supposed education fund. I saved the bank documents and made a list of questions for our attorney.
At 11:42 p received about the supposed education fund. I saved the bank documents and made a list of questions for our attorney.
At 11:42 p.m., my phone buzzed.
An email had arrived from Patricia Lane.
The subject line read:
**URGENT: ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION IDENT.m., my phone buzzed.
An email had arrived from Patricia Lane.
The subject line read:
*URGENT: ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION IDENTIFIED*
I opened it.
The message contained a scanned copy of an internal foundation report. Patricia had highlighted a paragraphIFIED**
I opened it.
The message contained a scanned copy of an internal foundation report. Patricia had highlighted a paragraph near the bottom.
The initial review suggests that the individual using the name Daniel Mercer may have submitted financial guarantees on behalf of multiple families without verified authorization.
near the bottom.
The initial review suggests that the individual using the name Daniel Mercer may have submitted financial guarantees on behalf of multiple families without verified authorization.
Below that paragraph was a list of names.
Lily Bennett.
Zoria Mercer.
And three other students.
I read the names slowly.
Then I saw the final entryBelow that paragraph was a list of names.
Lily Bennett.
Zoria Mercer.
And three other students.
I read the names slowly.
Then I saw the final entry.
It belonged to a student whose scholarship had been withdrawn six months earlier.
A student who had died in.
It belonged to a student whose scholarship had been withdrawn six months earlier.
A student who had died in a car accident shortly afterward.
I felt the blood drain from my face.
Because beneath that student's a car accident shortly afterward.
I felt the blood drain from my face.
Because beneath that student's name was a note that changed everything.
**Family declined further inquiry following receipt of confidential settlement payment name was a note that changed everything.
*Family declined further inquiry following receipt of confidential settlement payment.*
I stared at the screen, unable to breathe.
The scheme was older than Vanessa's agreement with Adrian.
And if the report was.**
I stared at the screen, unable to breathe.
The scheme was older than Vanessa's agreement with Adrian.
And if the report was correct, someone had been using my name to make families believe I was involved for months before my correct, someone had been using my name to make families believe I was involved for months before my daughter ever received her scholarship.
I looked toward the staircase.
Vanessa was upstairs.
The girls were beside me.
And somewhere daughter ever received her scholarship.
I looked toward the staircase.
Vanessa was upstairs.
The girls were beside me.
And somewhere out there, a man named Adrian Cole knew that we were beginning to understand what he had done out there, a man named Adrian Cole knew that we were beginning to understand what he had done.
My phone rang again.
This time, the caller ID showed an unknown number.
I answered without speaking.
My phone rang again.
This time, the caller ID showed an unknown number.
I answered without speaking.
A man's voice came through.
“Mr. Mercer, I understand you've been asking questions about my business.””
.
A man's voice came through.
“Mr. Mercer, I understand you've been asking questions about my business.””
I knew the voice immediately.
Adrian.
He continued calmly.
“You have two choices. You can letI knew the voice immediately.
Adrian.
He continued calmly.
“You have two choices. You can let this go, protect your family, and move on. Or you can keep digging and discover that your wife's this go, protect your family, and move on. Or you can keep digging and discover that your wife's agreement was the least damaging part of what happened.””
I tightened my grip on the phone.
“Are you threatening me?””
agreement was the least damaging part of what happened.””
I tightened my grip on the phone.
“Are you threatening me?””
“No,” he replied.
“I'm warning you.””
Then he said the words that made me realize how much danger my family might be in.
“Ask your“No,” he replied.
“I'm warning you.””
Then he said the words that made me realize how much danger my family might be in.
“Ask your wife what happened to the money from the first student. She knows exactly why that family stopped wife what happened to the money from the first student. She knows exactly why that family stopped asking questions.””
The line went dead.
I looked at the report again.
And for the first time that night, I wondered whether Vanessa had been asking questions.””
The line went dead.
May you like
I looked at the report again.
And for the first time that night, I wondered whether Vanessa had been manipulated into a scheme—or whether she had known far more about it than she had admitted.
