Chapter 16 - What the Ledger Knew
The cabinet survived. Inside were old account books wrapped in oilcloth, photographs of chained exits, and letters Walter had written to the state labor office. There were also ledgers recording withdrawals from the community trust.
The pages didn't tell a complete story by themselves. Names had been abbreviated. Numbers lacked context. But they matched bank records Iris had already subpoenaed, and one set of payments ran straight into Gideon's earliest development company.
"We can prove where the money went," Iris told Alisa.
"Can we prove what happened to my father?" Alisa asked.
Ortiz answered carefully. "We have a witness statement, a recording, and records that explain a motive. Investigators are reopening the death inquiry. I won't promise what a jury will decide."
At the station, Silas made a formal recorded statement with his attorney present. He admitted he'd lit the paper-storage room thirty-one years before, believing it empty. When Walter began pounding on the locked gate, Silas had tried to open it.
"Gideon grabbed my arm," he said. "I thought he'd let Walter out."
"You still started the fire," Ortiz reminded him.
"I know. And I spent thirty-one years asking money to keep quiet instead of telling his daughter. You can put that in the report."
Adrian listened from the hallway. For most of his childhood, he'd been taught that the Ashcroft name meant honor. Now he understood that honor wasn't something he inherited. It was something he'd have to earn.
Ortiz received a patrol report. Gideon's black sedan had been seen outside Rowan House. He had asked a resident where Alisa was.
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Adrian called Helen immediately. Willa and Alisa were still at her house, safe. But when Helen checked the guest room, the bed was empty.
Alisa had left a note: I have to face him myself.
