Chapter 14 - THE LAKE HOUSE
Grant had turned the lake house into a stage.
Evelyn sat tied beside the fireplace.
"When Emily gets here, you tell her to give me the card."
"You tried to kill my daughter."
"Your daughter destroyed my life."
"No."
Evelyn's voice remained calm.
"She discovered the life you built by stealing hers."
Grant slapped the back of the chair.
"You think she earned that company?"
"Her father left it to her."
"Exactly. She inherited everything. I built nothing because nobody let me."
Evelyn almost pitied him.
Almost.
"So you decided murder was ambition."
Daniel stayed in the command vehicle with the ledger copied to three secure locations.
Emily reached the porch.
Grant opened the door before she knocked.
"Phone."
She handed it over.
"Turn around."
"Where's the card?"
"Let my mother go."
"Card first."
Evelyn's eyes filled with tears.
"Honey, don't."
Grant raised a pistol.
"Quiet."
Emily pulled the bracelet from her pocket.
Grant's whole face changed.
"Give it to me."
"You already had it once."
"I didn't know what it was."
"But Victor did."
Grant froze.
Emily smiled slightly.
"Sloane told me."
"Sloane talks too much."
"So did Evan."
Grant's eyes narrowed.
"Evan is dead."
"I know."
"Then he didn't talk."
Emily heard the mistake.
"Did you kill him?"
"No."
"Judith?"
"Judith doesn't have the stomach."
"Victor?"
Grant's silence lasted half a second too long.
Then headlights swept across the windows.
Grant spun toward the door.
Sloane walked in holding a gun.
"Let them go."
"You stupid little girl."
"My father is done protecting you."
"Your father never protected me."
He pointed his gun at Emily.
"He hired me."
Sloane's face collapsed.
And from behind her came a man's voice.
May you like
"That's enough, Grant."
Victor Vale stepped into the room.
