Chapter 18 - The Signature He Couldn't Deny
Ethan didn't deny it. He had signed an approval for the disputed distribution program six months before his father's death, relying on a report that claimed the handling safeguards were working.
"I never inspected the underlying data," he said when we met with Celia. "I believed Arthur's people. That doesn't excuse me."
"Were you paid?" I asked.
"I received the regular executive bonus tied to the division. I didn't know the report was false. I should have checked when Malcolm raised concerns."
He agreed to give investigators his emails, bonus records and testimony, even though the documents might expose him to civil liability and public disgrace. A lawyer could argue about intent later. I watched him choose facts over image for the first time.
"I don't need you to be perfect," I told him. "I need you to stop hiding what isn't."
"I know."
Police and prosecutors announced charges connected to falsified shipping records, witness intimidation and obstruction. Arthur was named among the defendants. The homicide investigation remained open while they evaluated Pike's account and the forensic evidence.
Victoria was separately charged in connection with the attack on Lily and evidence tampering. She left the courthouse surrounded by lawyers, still pretending the cameras were her friends.
Months earlier, a single phone call from her could have cost me my job. Now she could no longer order everyone around her to look away.
Lily and I moved into a small apartment near a park, not the mansion. Ethan helped set up a parenting plan through our attorneys. His first visit was short, supervised by a child-development professional we'd chosen together. He brought no diamonds, no oversized toys. He brought a picture book about a rabbit who learned to trust a new friend.
Lily stared at him for a long time, then pointed to the book.
"Can you do the voices?" she asked.
May you like
Ethan opened the cover with shaking hands.
And for the first time, she let him sit beside her.
