Chapter 17 - THE THREE MINUTES
They watched the footage in a police interview room without windows. Adrian sat beside Nora. Emma chose a chair across the table. Caleb remained in another room with his attorney. He had used Adrian's private office to erase the video.
The ballroom video showed the exact moment Adrian had tried to forget. Vanessa stood behind his wheelchair. She looked once toward the empty staircase, disengaged the brake, and gave the backrest a sharp shove. Emma came running, caught the frame, and fell to one knee.
Nobody spoke until it ended.
"She meant for me to go down those stairs," Adrian said.
"Yes," Ortiz replied. "And we'll let the evidence speak for itself."
The garage recording was older and grainier. Its camera had been moved just before the approved outage, leaving a partial reflection in a row of polished car windows. It showed Owen Pike working beneath Adrian's sedan while Graham watched from the key cabinet. Vanessa stood beside them, checking her phone. The clip ended before the car left.
"Caleb says Graham paid him to clear the feeds," Ortiz said. "We still need to corroborate the payments and his account. He's agreed to testify under advice of counsel."
Adrian gripped the edge of the table. The fact that Vanessa had tried twice to hurt him should have made the world simple. Instead he kept hearing his own voice from seven months earlier, defending Graham, excusing Vanessa, telling Emma not to worry.
Outside, Emma walked with him to his car. "You don't have to pretend this doesn't hurt," she said.
"I don't know how to be angry without letting it run my life."
"Then start by not becoming like them."
He looked at her. "Is there a chance we could start over?"
"Not tonight," she said gently. "Tonight you should go home and sleep."
Adrian nodded. For once, he did not ask her to change her answer.
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An hour later Ortiz called. Detectives had obtained warrants for Vanessa and Graham.
They found Vanessa at home, but Graham's office was empty, and the company jet had been fueled for departure.
