Chapter 11 - Grant
Grant Caldwell was found at Logan Airport trying to board a midnight flight to Lisbon.
Police brought him back before sunrise.
He looked furious, not frightened.
“You’re all insane,” he said as he entered Blackthorn’s library.
Valentina sat across from him with Rachel and the detective.
“Elliot saw you near the forged documents.”
Grant laughed. “A six-year-old is your witness?”
“He’s better than the adults in this family so far.”
Nathan stood by the window.
“Tell her.”
Grant’s smile disappeared.
“You don’t get to act righteous.”
“Tell her.”
Grant leaned back.
“Mom was moving money, yes.”
“How much?” Valentina asked.
“More than eleven million.”
Rachel said, “How much more?”
Grant looked at Nathan.
“Twenty-three.”
Nathan went white.
Valentina’s stomach tightened.
“From where?”
“Your father’s foundation. Caldwell Development. Two charities. A pension account.”
The detective began writing.
Grant continued. “She needed Blackthorn because it was the only asset large enough to cover the hole before auditors came in.”
“So Serena’s wedding gift was a rescue package,” Valentina said.
“Basically.”
Nathan stepped forward. “Why Serena?”
Grant hesitated.
Then Valentina knew.
“Because Serena was willing.”
The library door opened.
Serena stood there, still wearing part of her wedding makeup, her gown replaced by a robe.
“No,” she said. “I wasn’t willing.”
Grant looked at her.
Serena held up her phone.
“I recorded Mom explaining the whole thing three weeks ago.”
Valentina rose.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Serena’s eyes filled with tears.
“Because she told me Nathan would go to prison if I did.”
May you like
Nathan whispered, “For what?”
Serena pressed play.
