Chapter 9 - Claire’s Watch
Nolan walked into the conference room wearing a navy suit and the confidence of a man who had spent his career standing beside richer men than himself.
“You look tired,” he told Alexander.
“Say her name.”
“Claire.”
Nolan placed a small evidence envelope on the table.
Inside was Claire’s gold watch.
Alexander recognized the scratch near the clasp.
Police had never recovered it.
“Where did you get this?”
“From the person who found her after she fell.”
“Vincent found her.”
“No. Vincent arrived second.”
Nolan slid a photo across the table.
Victor Cole stood at the bottom of the back stairs.
The timestamp was six minutes before Vincent’s arrival.
Alexander leaned forward.
“What did Victor do?”
“He was paid to scare Claire. Not kill her.”
“By whom?”
Nolan smiled faintly.
“That answer buys my immunity.”
Alexander’s lawyer said, “You are in no position to negotiate.”
Nolan ignored him.
“Claire discovered the foundation. She threatened to expose it. Victor confronted her near the stairs. She fell.”
“Accident?”
Nolan’s eyes moved away.
“Not exactly.”
Alexander lunged across the table.
His lawyer grabbed him.
“Who pushed her?”
Nolan finally looked at him.
“Vanessa.”
My stomach dropped.
Alexander went completely still.
Nolan continued. “Vanessa was already involved with the foundation. Claire recognized her from the documents.”
“So you covered it up.”
“I prevented a scandal.”
“You buried my wife.”
Nolan’s smile disappeared.
Then his phone vibrated on the table.
A message preview appeared before he could hide it.
V: STOP TALKING. THEY DON’T KNOW ABOUT REBECCA.
Alexander saw it.
May you like
“Who is Rebecca?”
Nolan’s face finally showed fear.
