SHE SPRAYED THE WRONG WOMAN

Nora read George’s email twice.

“He put the guarantee in writing,” she said. “That helps.”

Ethan wanted to reply with everything he knew. Nora persuaded him to send one sentence instead: I will review these documents with counsel and respond through them.

George called within thirty seconds. Ethan let it ring.

At Nora’s office the next morning, we met with a financial investigator she had retained to trace the proposed deal. His name was Daniel Price. He had spent the night reviewing public filings and the documents we had obtained.

“Willow Gate has almost no assets,” he said. “It was set up for this transaction.”

“Who benefits?” I asked.

“The ownership records lead to another company. I’m still checking its members.”

He turned his laptop toward us. A diagram showed Ethan’s house, my adjoining land, and a developer’s proposed purchase. If Willow Gate acquired the properties at the option price and sold them to the developer, the difference would be substantial.

“How substantial?” Ethan asked.

“Enough to pay George’s immediate debts and leave money over.”

The developer had not done anything wrong on the records Daniel had seen. It had offered a price for combined land. George intended to buy low before passing it along.

“My land makes the deal possible,” I said.

Daniel nodded. “Without it, the developer’s access plan doesn’t work.”

A message arrived from Vanessa’s attorney. She would provide a statement that afternoon, but only with her attorney present. Nora invited them to her office.

Vanessa came without makeup. Ethan stood when she entered, then sat again.

“I knew Dad wanted Helen’s parcel,” she said. “He told me she had refused because she didn’t like me.”

“Had you asked her?” Ethan said.

“No.”

“What did you think was going to happen at the party?”

“Dad said if she showed up, security would turn her away.” Vanessa twisted her hands together. “I saw her coming through the gate. I thought she was trying to embarrass me.”

“So you sprayed her,” I said.

“Yes.”

“I was already on my knees when you sprayed me the second time.”

Vanessa looked at the table. “I know.”

For once, she did not call it a joke.

“Did you know about the forged transfer?” Nora asked.

“I saw a draft on Dad’s desk. He told me Helen had signed it. I didn’t see anyone sign.”

“Did you place your ring in the linen cart?” Nora asked.

“Yes.”

Ethan shut his eyes.

“I panicked,” Vanessa said. “When Ethan called Helen ‘Mom,’ I knew I’d ruined everything. I thought if people believed she’d taken the ring, maybe they’d stop talking about the hose.”

“That was Luis’s job you put at risk,” I said. “And the server’s.”

“I know.”

She finally looked at Ethan. “I’m sorry. I loved you, and I still did all of that.”

Ethan’s voice was quiet. “I don’t know what to do with either part.”

Before Vanessa could answer, Daniel’s laptop chimed. He opened a new filing and frowned.

“I found the member behind the second company.”

“George?” Nora asked.

“No.”