Chapter 14 - The Policy
The policy was for fifteen million dollars.
Beneficiary: Nathan Caldwell.
Secondary beneficiary: Gloria Caldwell as trustee for Elliot.
Nathan stared at the screen.
“I didn’t buy that.”
Rachel said, “The application uses your digital signature.”
Valentina felt a cold clarity settle over her.
“If I died, Nathan gets the money. If Nathan is arrested or disqualified, Gloria controls it for Elliot.”
“And Blackthorn passes into your estate,” Rachel added.
Nathan looked sick.
“She was planning for you to die?”
Valentina thought of Gloria’s words: You were never supposed to keep Blackthorn.
Marco checked the time.
“We need to move.”
They prepared a decoy folder while police units quietly surrounded the lake road.
Nathan insisted on carrying it.
At the boathouse, one yellow lamp glowed behind dirty windows.
Elliot sat inside on a wooden chair, his wrists loosely tied with a scarf.
Gloria stood behind him with the missing guard’s gun.
The guard himself lay unconscious near the wall.
“Mom,” Nathan said, voice breaking. “Put the gun down.”
Gloria smiled sadly.
“You were always weak.”
Valentina stepped forward.
“Let Elliot go.”
“Give me the folder.”
Nathan held it out.
Gloria motioned with the gun.
“Closer.”
He obeyed.
When he was three feet away, Gloria said quietly, “You should have let me finish this months ago.”
Nathan froze.
Valentina heard the words too.
“Finish what?”
Gloria looked at her.
May you like
Then smiled.
“The car accident.”
