Chapter 7 - THE GATE
The SUV tore across the gravel drive and stopped sideways near the fountain.
Security officers surrounded it with weapons drawn. The driver's door opened, and a wounded man fell onto the pavement.
It was Renata's driver, Miles Kerr.
He had the same tattoo from the hospital stairwell.
Caleb rolled him onto his back. "Who sent you?"
Miles laughed weakly. "You think she is the only one?"
He pulled a phone from inside his jacket and pushed it toward Grant.
On the screen was a live video of Grant's office in Manhattan. Two men were opening a wall safe.
"They are taking the trust documents," Miles said. "By morning, every original will be gone."
Grant called his corporate security team, but the building's alarms had already been disabled. Detective Hayes ordered New York police to the scene.
Miles grabbed my sleeve.
"The woman in red was never the top," he whispered.
"Who was?" I asked.
He looked at Grant.
"Your father-in-law."
Margaret's father, Senator Thomas Vale, had publicly supported Grant after the crash. He had stood beside him at the funeral and called Renata a blessing to the family.
Grant shook his head. "Thomas loved his daughter."
Miles coughed. "He loved control more. Margaret planned to expose him. Renata offered a cleaner solution."
An ambulance carried Miles away under guard.
Grant opened the video on the stolen phone again. One intruder removed a red binder from the office safe. The other found a sealed envelope with Lily's name.
"That is Margaret's final letter," Grant said.
The intruder held it up to the camera, almost as if he knew Grant was watching.
Then he struck a match.
Flame touched the corner of the envelope.
Before it could burn, the office windows exploded inward. Police flooded the room.
One man surrendered. The other ran through a side door with the binder and letter.
Caleb tracked the building cameras. "He is heading to the roof."
Grant's phone rang.
A distorted voice said, "Bring the recorder and the child to the old Callahan shipyard by dawn. Come without police, or Margaret's last words disappear forever."
The line went dead.
May you like
Lily stood in the library doorway.
She had heard everything.
