Chapter 14 - THE MAN WHO RAN
Graham was not in the river.
Ben found traffic-camera footage showing him climbing into a gray sedan ten minutes before police reached his car.
"He's running," Arthur said.
Daniel nodded. "And frightened men make mistakes."
At the courthouse that afternoon, Elena arrived in a navy suit and looked every inch the wounded wife. Her attorney told the judge Arthur was unstable, controlling, and using his wealth to intimidate her.
Then he played a recording from the night Arthur threw Elena out.
Arthur's own voice filled the courtroom.
"Touch her one more time and this conversation happens with police in the room."
The recording cut.
The lawyer said, "Mr. Vance threatened my client and then removed her from her marital home."
Maria whispered, "They cut out what happened before."
Daniel stood. "We have the complete recording."
He played it.
Elena's shove. Maria's protest. Lucas crying. The forged documents. The burner phone.
The judge's face tightened.
Then Daniel introduced the fake custody order used at Lucas's school.
Elena's lawyer objected.
The judge overruled him.
By the time Maria testified, Elena no longer looked wounded.
She looked furious.
"Mrs. Vance told Lucas to describe his father as forgetful," Maria said. "She told him he could lose his home if he answered wrong."
Elena hissed, "Liar."
The judge stared at her. "Mrs. Vance, one more interruption and you will leave my courtroom."
After three hours, the judge suspended Elena's access to Lucas and referred the forged custody order for criminal investigation.
Arthur finally breathed.
Then Daniel's phone vibrated.
He read the message and swore.
"What?" Arthur asked.
"Graham just logged into a company server from inside Vance Medical headquarters."
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Arthur looked at the time.
The shareholder vote was in forty minutes.
