CHAPTER 9 — SIENNA’S LETTER
CHAPTER 9 — SIENNA’S LETTER
Audrey’s hands trembled as she read.
Sienna’s letter had been written two days before her death.
She explained that George had discovered the sisters’ relationship and intended to use Audrey as a scapegoat.
He had stolen Audrey’s laptop.
He had sent the leaked files from her account.
He had edited Sienna’s voicemail.
He had also forged Julian’s signature on multiple safety approvals.
Sienna knew Julian would blame himself if he learned the truth.
She also knew George understood Julian’s deepest weakness.
His pride.
He will show you only enough evidence to make you angry, Sienna wrote.
He will make revenge feel like justice. Do not give him that power.
Audrey stopped reading.
Clara closed her eyes.
Julian had done exactly what Sienna feared.
Elena opened the ledger.
It contained project numbers, illegal payments and dates.
Three local officials had received money.
A state inspector had been bribed.
Several entries were marked with the initials R.H.
Richard Hale.
Clara’s husband.
Audrey looked at her.
Clara’s face had gone white.
Richard had claimed George’s payment was a loan.
The ledger called it something else.
Compliance payment.
Elena handed the recorder to a detective.
The final audio file began with Sienna’s voice.
“George, I copied everything.”
Then George answered.
“You have no idea what you’re doing.”
“If the bridge fails, people will die.”
“The bridge will stand long enough.”
“And the schools?”
Silence.
Sienna continued.
“I’m going to the police.”
George laughed softly.
“No. You’re going to call Audrey. Then you’re going to drive home.”
The recording ended.
Audrey felt sick.
“He knew which road she would take.”
Elena nodded.
“And he had already damaged the car.”
A bank employee entered the private room.
“Excuse me. There’s a gentleman asking for Mrs. Clara Hale.”
Clara frowned.
“Who?”
Before the employee could answer, the fire alarm erupted.
Red lights flashed.
The bank’s doors automatically unlocked.
People began moving toward the exits.
Elena stood sharply.
“This is a distraction.”
Smoke poured beneath the private-room door.
One detective reached for the box.
The lights died.
In the darkness, someone struck him from behind.
May you like
When the emergency lighting returned, the ledger was gone.
And Clara had disappeared.
