Chapter 13 - NORTHLIGHT
The Northlight estate sat behind iron gates and dead trees.
Police entered before dawn.
The main house was empty.
The basement was not.
They found a makeshift office with shredders, scanners, blank medical forms, notary seals, and boxes of Vale Group stationery.
A factory for lies.
Adrian walked past shelves labeled CUSTODY, MEDICAL, INSURANCE, DEATH.
He stopped at the last word.
Inside one box were draft death certificates.
His name appeared on three.
Different causes.
Car accident.
Cardiac arrest.
Boating accident.
All dated within the next six months.
Victoria had not only insured him.
Someone had rehearsed his death.
Ortiz found a surveillance room containing years of photographs: Adrian entering restaurants, Elise meeting accountants, Clara at playgrounds, Mia through a nursery window.
One photograph showed Bradley Knox, Adrian’s longtime corporate attorney, handing Charles a folder outside the courthouse.
Adrian felt betrayed all over again.
“Bradley drafted the trust amendment.”
Marcus nodded.
“And certified the marriage paperwork.”
They found Bradley at his office before he could leave.
He lasted twenty-three minutes in questioning.
Charles had paid him nearly two million dollars.
“What was Monday?” Ortiz asked.
Bradley rubbed his face.
“The board vote.”
Adrian went still.
Vale Group’s board was scheduled to approve a restructuring Monday morning. If Victoria had become Adrian’s legal spouse and he died or became incapacitated, she would control his voting shares long enough to appoint Charles interim chairman.
“And if I didn’t die?” Adrian asked.
Bradley looked away.
“You were supposed to become very sick.”
“How?”
“I don’t know.”
Ortiz leaned forward.
Bradley whispered, “Ask the caterer.”
Adrian’s stomach tightened.
The wedding dinner had never been served.
May you like
But one plate had already been prepared at the head table.
His.
