Chapter 7 - THE SIGNATURE
The resignation was frozen before noon.
But Caleb warned Grace that someone was moving fast.
"They don't need the fake filing to survive forever."
"They only need a few hours of confusion."
Grace looked at the bank alerts.
"Long enough to transfer assets."
Nathan nodded.
Marcus returned from the airfield.
"Lauren and Martin never boarded a plane."
Grace frowned.
"Then why go there?"
"To make us chase the wrong direction."
A detective entered with a clear evidence bag.
Inside was an office keycard.
Martin's.
It had been found behind Walker Development.
Grace stood.
"They went back."
Her brothers wanted her to stay behind.
Grace shook her head.
"My name is on every paper they're stealing."
"I'm going."
At Walker Development, the building was nearly empty.
Rain struck the glass lobby.
The executive elevator opened onto darkness.
Then Grace saw someone sitting on the hallway floor.
"Jenna?"
Ethan's assistant looked up.
Blood ran from a cut above her eyebrow.
"Mrs. Walker."
Grace rushed to her.
"What happened?"
"Lauren."
Jenna reached inside her blouse and pulled out a flash drive.
"I copied everything."
Caleb took it.
"What is on this?"
"Deleted emails."
"Wire instructions."
"And recordings."
Grace's skin prickled.
"Recordings of who?"
Jenna looked at her.
"Ethan."
They entered Ethan's office.
The wall safe stood open.
The original Wren certificate was gone.
Caleb plugged in the drive.
One audio file was labeled ANNIVERSARY.
The timestamp was forty minutes before the slap.
Lauren's voice filled the room.
"If she pushes you tonight, don't back down."
Then Ethan answered.
"I won't."
Lauren said, "She has to believe you're finished with her."
Grace stopped breathing.
Ethan's voice came again.
"After Southgate closes, I am."
Grace stared at the speaker.
May you like
The affair had an ending date.
And Ethan had known it before he walked into the house.
