Chapter 6 - The Security Chief
Graham arrived at the precinct before sunrise.
The security chief, Peter Voss, sat in an interview room with his hands cuffed to the table. He was fifty, broad-shouldered, and had once taken a bullet meant for Graham during a robbery attempt outside a hotel.
Graham stopped at the doorway.
“Tell me you didn’t do it.”
Peter looked up. “I didn’t.”
“Your car was outside the shop.”
“Because I was following the man who did.”
Detective Ruiz entered. “Mr. Voss says he was acting under instructions from Victor Hale.”
Graham looked at Peter. “Why didn’t you come to me?”
“Because the last time I tried, your phone was being monitored.”
“That’s ridiculous.”
Peter gave a humorless laugh. “You think a man who controls your company, your security team, and your foundation wouldn’t be able to get into your phone?”
Ruiz placed a small evidence bag on the table. Inside was a black flash drive.
“We recovered this from Mr. Voss’s vehicle,” she said. “It contains partial security footage from the flower shop.”
Graham watched the clip.
The man who entered the shop wore a delivery jacket. He moved directly to the back room, bypassed the cash drawer, and went for the cabinet beneath the counter. Lucy appeared, blocking his path. He shoved her. She struck the edge of the counter.
Then the man turned toward the camera.
Graham recognized the scar.
“Who is he?” Ruiz asked.
Peter answered. “Caleb Rusk. Victor’s private contractor.”
“Where is he now?”
“Gone.”
Ruiz paused the video. “There’s something else. Mr. Voss says the contractor was looking for a blue ledger.”
Graham remembered Lucy’s whisper.
“Where is she?”
“At Maya’s apartment. Under protection.”
He called Lucy. She answered on the second ring.
“Are you safe?”
“For now.”
“I found Elise’s letter.”
A long silence.
“Then you know,” Lucy said.
“Know what?”
“My father didn’t steal from you. He tried to stop Victor. Elise helped him.”
Graham closed his eyes.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because I wanted to know whether you’d listen before you knew what it would cost you.”
“And do you?”
“I’m still deciding.”
Then she said, “Graham, the ledger isn’t in the storage unit anymore.”
“Where is it?”
“My father gave it to someone he trusted.”
“Who?”
May you like
Lucy’s voice broke.
“Your wife.”
