Chapter 10 - ADRIAN COMES HOMEThe glass cracked but did not shatter.
Federal agents pulled Maya and me away from the windows.
Another shot struck the exterior wall.
The shooter fled before police reached the neighboring rooftop.
Security cameras captured a black sedan leaving the garage.
The vehicle belonged to Adrian’s attorney.
The attorney reported it stolen.
Adrian had disappeared after posting bail.
His electronic monitor had been found beside a highway outside Napa.
He was now wanted for assault, conspiracy, evidence tampering, and violating the restraining order.
Sergeant Ruiz moved Maya and me to a protected location.
Claire’s evidence was transferred separately.
That night, Adrian called me from an unknown number.
“You were supposed to give my mother the condo.”
His voice sounded exhausted.
“You knew the whole plan.”
“I knew about the loan.”
“You knew they forged my signature.”
“I thought you would agree after dinner.”
“And when I didn’t?”
“You embarrassed me.”
“You hit me because your family was watching.”
“You made me look weak.”
There it was.
Not remorse.
Not confusion.
Pride.
“Did you know they planned to send me to Switzerland?”
He did not answer.
“Adrian?”
“My mother said it would only be temporary.”
I closed my eyes.
“You knew.”
“She said you would receive treatment.”
“For what?”
“You were becoming suspicious.”
“I was discovering the truth.”
“My family built everything we have.”
“By stealing from women.”
“You think your condo matters more than generations of work?”
“My condo belongs to me.”
“And Claire’s house belonged to her.”
“Hannah’s building belonged to her.”
“You never saw people.”
“You saw collateral.”
Adrian’s breathing changed.
“Give me Claire’s recorder.”
“No.”
“If my father goes to prison, hundreds of employees lose their jobs.”
“That is not my responsibility.”
“You are still my wife.”
“Not for long.”
He laughed once.
“You think a divorce will protect you?”
A sound came through the phone.
Church bells.
Then a train horn.
Daniel used the background noises to narrow the location.
Adrian was somewhere near Jack London Square in Oakland.
Federal teams moved immediately.
Before disconnecting, Adrian said one final thing.
“You still don’t understand Maya.”
“She didn’t marry Lucas only to find the truth.”
“She married him because Claire left her everything.”
I looked at Maya.
Her face changed.
Adrian continued.
“The riverfront house was never the real inheritance.”
Then he hung up.
Maya sat down slowly.
“What did Claire leave you?” I asked.
May you like
She stared at the key in her hand.
“Control of the Caldwell vineyard.”
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