“These people build the lie over months,” Ross said gently. “They isolate the victim and convince everyone around her that she’s the problem.”

The tape recorder held more. On one file, Gregory offered to produce a permanent disability certificate for a large cash payment. On another, Heather asked how long it would take for Katherine to lose her strength entirely.

The worst was recorded the night before she died. Katherine had left the device running in her work bag.

“The company is mine too,” Bradley’s voice argued.

“No. You showed up after it was already built,” Katherine answered.

“Without my connections, you’d have nothing.”