Chapter 12 - THE FIRE AT WALKER DEVELOPMENT
Ethan was arrested before midnight.
He denied setting the fire.
Security footage showed him entering through the loading dock at 9:06.
Lauren entered twelve minutes later.
Ethan left before smoke appeared.
Grace watched the video at Nathan's house.
"He lied about being at the police station."
Caleb nodded.
"Yes."
"But the timeline doesn't prove arson."
Grace looked at the screen.
"It proves he still thinks lies buy him time."
Martin woke in the hospital.
His story changed twice.
Finally, Detective Medina confronted him with the video.
Martin broke.
Ethan had come to retrieve the original Wren certificate.
Lauren arrived later.
Martin started the fire after Ethan left.
"Why frame Ethan?" Grace asked.
"Victor told me to."
Grace felt no relief.
Ethan had not burned the office.
He had still gone there to hide evidence.
Truth mattered even when it was less dramatic.
Then Lauren sent another message.
One address.
One time.
COME ALONE IF YOU WANT THE TRUTH ABOUT YOUR MOTHER.
Nathan said, "No."
Grace looked at him.
"Not alone."
"Not at all."
The address belonged to a model home in the Southgate development.
Detective Medina agreed to a controlled meeting.
Grace would wear a wire.
Her brothers hated it.
Grace refused to be protected by ignorance again.
At the empty house, Lauren waited in the kitchen.
A pistol lay on the counter.
Grace stopped.
Lauren raised both hands.
"If I wanted you dead, we wouldn't be talking."
"Comforting."
Lauren slid the sale agreement toward her.
"Victor is going to kill me if he thinks I'm the weak link."
Grace stared.
"You're asking me for sympathy?"
"No."
Lauren's eyes were tired.
"I'm asking you to understand what he wants."
"What?"
"Your father's archive."
Grace frowned.
"Why?"
May you like
Lauren leaned closer.
"Because Samuel Holloway found proof that Victor Pierce killed your mother."
