Chapter 17 - The Policy

The policy on Lily had never become active.

Vanessa had signed it.

"I don't want to imagine what that means."

"You don't have to," Aaron said. "We stick to evidence."

The evidence was bad enough.

Financial fraud.

Forgery.

Conspiracy.

Daniel refused at first.

Then Aaron said, "She may be ready to cooperate against the others."

"So she can reduce her own exposure."

"Yes."

"I don't want to hear excuses."

"Then don't. Hear information."

No emerald dress.

No perfect hair.

She looked at him.

"How is Lily?"

"You don't get to ask me that."

Vanessa flinched.

Daniel sat.

"You have ten minutes."

"Kyle became obsessed."

"You invited him into our home."

"I know."

"You gave him keys."

"I know."

"You let him rehearse lies with my daughter."

Her eyes filled.

"I know."

Daniel did not soften.

"Why?"

Vanessa looked down.

"Because I was angry."

"At me?"

"At everything. You had the company. The history. The respect. Everyone treated me like I married into your life instead of having one."

"So you took it out on Lily?"

"No. Not at first."

Daniel's voice sharpened.

"There is no version of this that becomes better after 'not at first.'"

Vanessa covered her face.

Her lawyer touched her arm.

She kept talking.

"Kyle said the trust was the key. Thomas said if we controlled the vote for even thirty days, we could force a sale."

"And the insurance?"

Vanessa closed her eyes.

"Kyle suggested it."

"You signed it."

"Yes."

Daniel stood.

Vanessa said quickly, "The fire was not supposed to happen."

Daniel stopped.

"Kyle did that alone?"

"No."

"Who?"

Then whispered, "Thomas arranged someone."

"Name."

"I don't know."

Daniel stared at her.

She added, "But Kyle kept records. He was paranoid. Everything is backed up."

"Where?"

"Not the warehouse."

"Where?"

Vanessa took a breath.

"Under the pool deck."

Daniel went still.

"The pool at our house?"

She nodded.

"There is a waterproof case beneath the third maintenance panel."

Daniel called Morales.

Inside was a drive.

And one handwritten letter.

His father's.

He stared at it.

"My father died nine years ago."

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The envelope read:

DANIEL - IF ANYONE EVER COMES AFTER LILY'S TRUST, READ THIS FIRST.