Chapter 13 - THE BADGE
Detective Hayes surrendered her badge until internal affairs could clear her.
The missing recorder threatened the strongest emotional evidence against Renata, but Caleb had made certified copies. The defense would still attack them. Without the original, every lie became easier.
Internal affairs traced the remote access to a police technician named Aaron Pike. By the time officers reached his apartment, Pike was gone.
His computer contained photographs of Lily taken through the estate fence.
One picture had been captured that morning.
"He is still watching the house," I said.
Grant moved Lily to a secure guest cottage on the property. I stayed with her, along with Dr. Morris and two officers. Grant wanted to remain too, but his lawyers needed him in Manhattan to remove the corrupt board members before they froze the company.
"I failed her once," he said at the cottage door.
"Then do not fail the employees and families depending on your company now," I told him. "She is protected here."
That night, Lily woke from a nightmare and drew the same gold serpent again. This time she added a small blue square beneath it.
"What is that?" I asked.
She whispered, "Pool."
The estate's indoor pool had been renovated after Margaret's death. Renata had insisted on sealing the old maintenance room because of mold.
Caleb searched it at dawn.
Behind a false wall, he found Pike unconscious beside the original recorder. He had been struck before he could escape.
On the floor was a red silk glove.
Renata was still in jail, so she could not have left it there.
But another woman at the estate wore identical gloves during every formal event.
Grant's older sister, Vivian Callahan.
Vivian had comforted Lily after the accident. She had supported Grant's engagement. And she held the board seat that would gain the most power if Grant lost control of the trust.
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When security searched her suite, they found a packed suitcase and a one-way ticket to Switzerland.
Vivian was already gone.
