Chapter 14 - Warehouse 6
Warehouse 6 belonged to one of Grant’s shell companies.
Police raided it before midnight.
Inside they found no people.
What they found was worse.
Boxes of financial records.
Burner phones.
Copies of Claire’s signature.
Fake psychiatric evaluations.
A packed suitcase for Lily.
And two airline tickets to Costa Rica under false names.
Claire read the evidence list from her hospital bed and felt something inside her harden.
“He was going to take her.”
Bell nodded. “That appears to have been one option.”
“One option?”
“There are planning documents for several scenarios.”
Richard put a hand on Claire’s shoulder. “You don’t need to see all of it tonight.”
“Yes, I do.”
Bell hesitated, then handed her a redacted copy.
Scenario A: Claire signs voluntarily.
Scenario B: medical incapacity.
Scenario C: emergency guardianship after childbirth.
Scenario D: relocation with minor child.
Scenario E had been blacked out by investigators pending review.
Claire stared at the line.
“What’s E?”
Bell said nothing.
“Tell me.”
“It references a fatal accident.”
Richard turned away.
Claire did not cry.
Not yet.
“Like my mother.”
Bell’s silence was answer enough.
The next morning, prosecutors formally charged Grant with multiple offenses connected to the hospital attack, attempted financial fraud, conspiracy, and child endangerment. Vanessa received lesser charges while negotiating cooperation. Tracy Nolan was suspended and charged for her role in falsifying records.
Samuel Vale was arrested after investigators matched years of payments to Grant’s shell companies.
But Grant still had one move left.
His new attorney filed an emergency petition claiming Claire was mentally unstable and that Richard had manipulated Lily into giving false statements.
Claire laughed when Bell told her.
“He’s still trying to use the same plan.”
“His attorney is aggressive.”
“So am I.”
That afternoon, a family court judge scheduled a hearing.
Claire’s lawyer, Nina Patel, arrived with a stack of files.
“There’s a problem,” Nina said.
“What?”
“Grant has a witness.”
“Who?”
Nina put a photograph on the bed.
Claire stared at the woman in the picture.
It was Megan.
May you like
Her own sister.
SOFT PINK
