Chapter 9 - The Man Who Knew My Schedule
Derek had managed my calendar for seven years.
He knew every flight, every hotel, every night I would not be home.
I called him at 12:41 a.m.
He answered on the third ring.
"Ethan? Everything okay?"
"Where are you?"
"Home. Why?"
"Did you witness paperwork for Silver Pine Holdings?"
Silence.
That was enough.
"Derek."
"Vanessa said it was for a charity project."
"Did you give her my travel schedule?"
"She is your wife. She already had it."
"Did you give her my authentication codes?"
"No."
Too fast.
Laura motioned for me to keep him talking.
"Derek, there is a $1.6 million transfer scheduled under my credentials. If you are involved, this is the moment you decide whether you are a witness or a defendant."
His breathing changed.
"I never touched money."
"Then what did you touch?"
"She asked me to send copies of your signatures. Old contracts. Expense approvals."
I gripped the phone.
"Why?"
"She said the lawyer needed samples for estate planning."
"Anything else?"
He hesitated.
"There was a list."
"What list?"
"Dates you were gone. Dates Ella had pediatric appointments. Dates Maria was scheduled off."
Laura closed her eyes.
"Send it to me now."
"Ethan, I swear I didn't know."
"Send it."
Thirty seconds later, my email chimed.
The spreadsheet had thirty-four dates.
Next to twelve of them, Vanessa had written notes.
Tantrum.
Refused dinner.
Left alone.
Witness available.
One date was tomorrow.
May you like
The note beside it was different.
FINAL INCIDENT - GARAGE.
