Chapter 15 - Trent's Price
Trent sat in an interview room with a split lip and the expression of a man who had finally learned fear.
"Richard's people came after me," he said. "They think I copied files."
Daniel stayed standing.
"Did you try to take Lily at the hotel?"
Trent looked down.
"Yes."
Daniel's hands curled.
Detective Grant stepped closer, reminding him without words not to touch the man.
"Why?"
"Margaret said we only needed Lily for a few hours. She had a doctor ready to document that the kid was panicking around you. Then she'd file another emergency petition."
"A doctor?"
Trent named Dr. Calvin Moss, a private psychiatrist who had also signed the letter about Emma.
Rachel's eyes narrowed.
"Same doctor."
Trent nodded. "He's been on Richard's payroll for years."
"What files did you copy?"
"Emails. Payments. Security instructions. Vanessa kept everything in a hidden folder because she thought nobody knew the password."
"Where are they?"
"Safe deposit box."
"Give them to police."
"I want immunity."
Grant said, "You don't have leverage for full immunity."
Trent looked at Daniel. "I have enough."
He leaned forward.
"Vanessa recorded Lily crying on purpose. She'd scare her, record the meltdown, then write notes saying the kid became hysterical whenever Daniel was mentioned."
Daniel's face hardened.
"Why?"
"To make it look like Lily feared you."
Trent swallowed.
"And there's a video worse than the one from dinner."
Daniel couldn't move.
"What video?"
"Margaret made Lily rehearse what to say to a social worker. Vanessa filmed it."
"Where?"
"In the safe deposit box."
Grant asked for the bank.
May you like
Trent gave the name.
Then he added quietly, "You should hurry. Margaret has the second key."
