Chapter 14 - Victoria's Second Secret
They searched ditches, dumpsters, abandoned lots, and wooded roads around the motel.
No body.
No Victoria.
At dawn, Grant's attorney called police.
Grant wanted to surrender.
Nathan expected a trap.
Ruiz did too.
They arranged a meeting at a sheriff's substation with armed officers in every hallway.
Grant walked in at 9:15 a.m.
Alone.
No gun.
No lawyer.
Blood stained one cuff of his shirt.
Nathan watched through glass as Ruiz questioned him.
"Where is Victoria?"
Grant laughed weakly. "Ask Victoria."
"We have video of you leaving her motel room with a body-sized bundle."
"Laundry."
"Your shirt has blood on it."
"Mine. She stabbed me."
He lifted his sleeve. A bandage wrapped his forearm.
Ruiz stared at him. "Why surrender?"
Grant leaned back.
"Because Victoria has the original financial ledger. And because if she reaches the federal prosecutor first, she'll tell them I planned everything."
"Didn't you?"
Grant smiled without warmth.
"Victoria was stealing before I ever touched a dollar. Emma caught her first. I helped cover it up. That was my crime. Then Emma threatened to expose us. Victoria decided Emma couldn't reach morning."
Nathan's hands curled into fists.
Grant continued, "I told her to scare Emma. I never told her to cut a brake line."
Ruiz played the car recording.
Grant's own voice filled the room.
Do it now. Before she reaches the intersection.
His face changed.
"That's not what you think."
"Tell me what I think."
Grant swallowed.
"I was telling Victoria to stop Emma before the intersection. I thought Victoria would block the road. I didn't know she had already cut the brakes."
Ruiz leaned forward. "Then why did you help frame Nathan?"
Grant looked toward the one-way glass, almost as if he knew Nathan was there.
"Because Victoria had something worse on me."
"What?"
He whispered, "Proof that the first theft wasn't hers."
Ruiz frowned.
Grant said, "Emma's foundation money was already missing before Victoria became treasurer."
Nathan felt a sick drop in his stomach.
May you like
Grant continued.
"The first forged signature belonged to Emma."
