Chapter 13 - The Two Ledgers
"Sixteen million," Adrian said, reading the clause again. "That's why Grant wanted them gone tonight."
He had mortgaged other Vale properties to finance the Ashbury deal. A failed sale could ruin his property division. The families weren't an oversight. They were in his way.
"That's Grant's motive," I said. "Vanessa's is different."
I showed him the foundation invoices Iris had photographed. Repairs were marked paid. Relocation checks had been issued to households that never received them. The vendors led to a company called Glassline Services.
"Vanessa said Glassline handled logistics," Adrian replied.
"Who owns it?"
He searched his email and went pale. "Her cousin."
Two patterns were already visible: Grant was hiding occupied apartments to complete a land sale. Vanessa was hiding missing charity money by claiming the same families had moved.
Neither plan required the other to begin. Together, they made thirty-one families disappear on paper.
At the hotel, officers were interviewing staff. I went back to give a statement and hand over the copies with their timestamps. Owen met me by the kitchen entrance.
"I've kept my original camera card," he said. "And I copied it to the production company's server."
"Thank you."
"Don't thank me yet. Your face is all over the internet."
He showed me a short video of Vanessa's kick. It had been cut to begin with my hand around her ankle. Underneath, an account linked to the gala called me a violent employee who attacked a generous philanthropist.
My mother had already left me four messages.
I called her first. "I'm safe, Mom. No, I didn't hurt anybody."
"I know," she said. "I just wanted to hear your voice."
The hotel manager approached us.
"Lena," Ruth said, "Vanessa checked out ten minutes ago. She took a red makeup case."
"Where did she go?"
May you like
"I don't know. But she left a note for you."
On the paper were six words: ASK ADRIAN WHAT HE SIGNED FIRST.
