Chapter 9 - THE SECOND PLAN
Adrian Lane had never approached Richard under his own name. His investment firm used partners and holding companies. Priya worked through the records while Elaine called Grace’s former business associates.
By noon, they had a clearer picture.
Adrian had spent years trying to gain influence over Hawthorne Technologies. He had failed to buy Grace’s shares while she was alive and failed again when Elaine took control of the trust. Victoria’s relationship with Richard had brought Adrian closer than any business deal could.
Richard thought of the family dinners, the vacations, the way Victoria had offered to “take some of the parenting decisions off his plate.”
He had been grateful.
Detective Ortiz called with another update. Victoria’s lawyer had advised her not to answer further questions. Adrian could not be reached.
Then Priya found something worse.
An email from Richard’s account had been sent to the boys’ school that morning, asking for their records to be transferred immediately. He had not sent it. His account had been accessed from the mansion at 5:12 a.m., shortly before the police arrived.
“Victoria still had access to your devices,” Priya said. “I’m locking everything down.”
Richard called the school. The principal confirmed the records had not yet been sent and promised to keep the boys in their current classes. Elaine followed up in writing with the trust paperwork and a notice that no travel or transfer had been authorized.
At the hotel, Liam watched Richard pace the room.
“Is Victoria going to take us?” he asked.
“No.” Richard knelt. “I should have seen what she was doing. I’m sorry.”
Liam studied his face. “Are you mad I took the drive?”
“I’m glad you told us. I’m sorry you felt you had to do it by yourself.”
Liam glanced toward Emily. “She always listens.”
Richard accepted that too. “I need to learn from her.”
That evening, Ortiz found a second visitor on the mansion’s driveway camera at 5:03 a.m. A car registered to Adrian had entered through the service gate. It left nine minutes later.
Victoria was at her foundation office by then.
Adrian had used the key code.
A search of his office was underway, but he had already vanished. Ortiz issued an alert for his vehicle.
Just after midnight, Emily’s phone lit up with a text from an unfamiliar number.
A photograph filled the screen: her younger sister, Rachel, standing outside the diner where she worked.
May you like
Below it were six words.
BRING ME THE DRIVE. COME ALONE.
