Chapter 9 - THE SECOND LEDGER
Victor watched the video three times.
Not because he wanted to.
Because Lily was telling him something.
Her eyes kept moving.
Left.
Down.
Left.
Down.
Victor recognized the pattern.
Lily had taught Ethan a game using eye movements.
Look left.
Look down.
L.
D.
Victor grabbed a notebook.
Lily repeated it.
Then looked right twice.
L.
D.
R.
R.
“Laundry room,” Victor whispered.
Rebecca frowned.
“What?”
“The second ledger.”
They raced back to Hale Mansion.
Lily’s old room was beside the service laundry.
Victor tore through cabinets.
Nothing.
Then he remembered Amelia’s message.
Ethan owns the evidence.
He looked at Ethan’s old baby clothes stored on the top shelf.
Inside a blue blanket was a waterproof pouch.
The second ledger.
This one contained names Daniel had added after Amelia’s death.
Marcus Reed.
Serena Montigue.
Three board members.
And detailed payments for Amelia’s “accident.”
Victor felt physically sick.
Detective Brooks read the entry.
Vehicle modification.
Brake line.
Route confirmation.
Cleanup.
Then she found another payment.
Dated two days earlier.
TARGET: E.A.H.
Lily had saved Ethan hours before the plan was supposed to happen.
Victor closed the book.
“We trade.”
Brooks shook her head.
“We make Daniel believe we’re trading.”
Daniel sent coordinates.
An abandoned Hale estate outside the city.
Victor knew it well.
His father had used it for private meetings.
Before Victor left, Margaret stopped him.
“I’m coming.”
“No.”
“Daniel knows me.”
“That’s exactly why you’re staying.”
Margaret grabbed his arm.
“I helped create this by staying silent.”
“Then help Ethan by staying alive long enough to testify.”
Margaret released him.
Victor left.
At the estate, Daniel waited.
Lily sat near the fireplace.
Ethan was beside her.
Victor held up the ledger.
“Let them go.”
Daniel smiled.
“You always were predictable.”
“And you always talked too much.”
Daniel’s smile faded.
Victor was wearing a wire.
Police listened from outside.
Daniel stepped closer.
“You want a confession?”
“I want my son.”
“You want the truth?”
Daniel laughed.
“Your wife wanted the truth too.”
Victor’s jaw tightened.
Daniel leaned closer.
“I watched Amelia’s car go over that mountain.”
Victor almost attacked him.
Then Lily shouted.
“Victor, don’t!”
Daniel smiled.
“Good girl.”
He lifted his gun.
“You finally understand.”
Then a second gun clicked behind Daniel.
Serena stepped from the darkness.
Her weapon was pointed directly at his head.
May you like
“Actually, Daniel.”
“She understands more than you think.”
