Chapter 5 - A Signature in Gold
I took the linen stairs back to the ballroom, carrying Iris's phone inside my sleeve.
The charity auction was still running. A woman in diamonds bid fifty thousand dollars to put her name on an Ashbury House children's playroom that didn't exist.
"Look at the screen," I told the man in the midnight-blue tuxedo near the stage.
Adrian Vale turned. Thirty-six, heir to Vale Hotels, and Vanessa's fiancé. Tonight's fundraiser was his idea.
"I know who you are," he said. "Vanessa says you assaulted her."
"Then watch the video Owen recorded. After that, watch this."
I showed him the picture of the locked exit. Then the certificate claiming June and Ben had moved to new housing. Then the foundation payment ledger.
"These people were relocated last month."
"I saw June carrying groceries into 6C fourteen days ago. Her son is in that building right now, in the dark."
Adrian looked toward the stage. Vanessa was accepting applause beside his uncle, Grant Vale, the head of the family's property division.
"Grant handles the construction side," Adrian said. "Vanessa handles the grants."
"And you sign the checks?"
"Only after compliance certifies the work."
I moved my finger to the last page.
There, below the words ALL UNITS VACANT, was Adrian's name in a gold-colored digital signature block.
He stared for a long time.
"I didn't sign that."
"Then somebody wants you to think you did."
Vanessa spotted us. Her smile vanished. She hurried from the stage, Grant close behind.
Adrian turned the phone so they could see it.
"I have one question," he said, his voice dangerously calm. "Why does a document saying thirty-one families have moved out carry my signature?"
May you like
Grant glanced at the screen and answered before Vanessa could speak.
"Because you signed it yesterday, Adrian. And I have the recording to prove it."
