Chapter 6 - The Threat
August returned to the estate before noon.
Victoria was waiting in the library.
"Did you threaten Caroline at my gate?"
"Thomas has always been dramatic."
"So you saw her."
Silence.
August stepped closer. "You let me bury an empty coffin."
"I was trying to protect this family."
"From my daughter?"
"From scandal."
Victoria stood. "Caroline was obsessed with accusations. She was going to destroy everything you built."
"She was investigating theft from a children's charity."
"She thought she was."
August stared at the woman he had trusted for twenty-six years.
"Did Marcus help you?"
Victoria blinked.
That was enough.
Mason entered carrying a tablet.
"We pulled estate gate footage from five years ago."
The screen showed Caroline in the rain, visibly pregnant, arguing with Victoria. Victoria pointed toward Caroline's stomach.
Caroline stepped back.
Then a second car appeared.
Marcus Vane got out.
August's jaw tightened. "Where is he now?"
"Not at home."
Nora entered behind Mason.
"Neither is thirty-two million dollars."
She placed a bank report on the table. The shell companies from Building 214 had been emptied at 6:12 that morning.
Victoria went pale.
"That's not possible."
August looked at her. "Interesting."
Nora continued. "The transfer used a Caldwell master authorization code."
Only three people had ever had one.
August.
Victoria.
Caroline.
Caroline was supposed to be dead.
Victoria whispered, "I didn't move the money."
Mason's phone rang.
He listened, then looked at August.
"We found Marcus."
"Where?"
"O'Hare."
"Leaving?"
May you like
Mason shook his head.
"Dead."
