Chapter 4
Grace thought she had heard him wrong.
“What do you mean under Lily’s name?”
Nathan showed her the message from his attorney.
The account had been opened using Lily’s full legal name and personal information.
Grace snatched the phone from him.
“She doesn’t know Lily’s Social Security number.”
Nathan looked at her.
“Did you ever give it to anyone?”
“No.”
“A doctor? School? Daycare?”
Grace shook her head.
“Only medical offices and the preschool registration.”
Nathan’s eyes narrowed.
“Dr. Mercer.”
Grace understood.
Victoria hadn’t just bribed the doctor.
She had obtained Lily’s records.
The officer who remained at the house called his department.
Nathan’s attorney joined by speakerphone.
“We need to move quickly,” Martin said. “If the money remains in the child’s account, Victoria may claim Nathan transferred it voluntarily.”
“I didn’t.”
“I understand. But the account paperwork also carries your electronic authorization.”
Nathan swore under his breath.
Grace stared at the screen.
“Why would she put stolen money in Lily’s name?”
Martin hesitated.
“That may be the point.”
“What point?”
“To make Lily look connected to financial fraud.”
Grace went cold.
“She’s four years old.”
“The accusation wouldn’t be against Lily. It could be against you.”
Grace stared at Nathan.
Martin continued.
“Victoria could argue Grace manipulated Nathan using the child, especially if she can produce forged communication.”
Grace’s voice shook.
“She’s trying to frame me.”
Nathan’s face hardened.
“She won’t succeed.”
Martin answered quietly.
“Then do not destroy anything. Do not move the money yourselves. Let investigators document every step.”
Nathan agreed.
Grace picked Lily up.
“I’m taking her away from this house.”
Nathan looked alarmed.
“Grace—”
“I’m not disappearing. I’m protecting her.”
“Then I’m coming with you.”
Grace almost refused.
Then a loud crash came from upstairs.
Everyone froze.
The officer drew his weapon.
“Stay here.”
He moved toward the staircase.
Nathan put himself in front of Grace and Lily.
Another sound.
A door slammed.
The officer shouted.
“Police! Show yourself!”
Footsteps thundered above them.
Someone ran through the upstairs hallway.
Nathan’s face tightened.
“Victoria wasn’t alone.”
The officer called for backup.
Grace grabbed Lily tightly.
A man suddenly appeared at the top of the stairs.
He wore maintenance clothing.
He saw the officer.
Then ran.
“Stop!”
The man disappeared into Nathan’s office.
The officer pursued him.
Seconds later, glass shattered.
Nathan started forward.
Grace caught him.
“Don’t.”
They heard shouting outside.
Another officer had arrived.
Then silence.
A minute later, the first officer returned.
“He escaped through the balcony.”
Nathan stared at him.
“What was he doing?”
The officer held up a small black device.
“This was connected to your office computer.”
Nathan recognized it immediately.
An external storage drive.
“Someone was copying my files.”
They went upstairs after officers cleared the rooms.
Nathan’s office had been searched.
Desk drawers were open.
Documents covered the floor.
The safe door stood wide open.
Nathan stopped.
“That safe requires my fingerprint.”
Grace looked at him.
“Was anything inside?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
Nathan moved toward the empty shelf.
“My grandfather’s original trust documents.”
Gone.
Grace’s stomach tightened.
Then Lily squirmed in her arms.
“Mommy, down.”
Grace lowered her carefully.
Lily walked toward a bookcase.
She pointed.
“The man put something there.”
Nathan crouched beside her.
“Where, sweetheart?”
Lily touched a red book.
Nathan pulled it out.
Behind it was a phone.
Not his.
The screen was still recording.
The officer picked it up using gloves.
A video had been running for nearly twenty minutes.
They played the beginning.
Victoria appeared on screen.
The recording had been made before the attack.
She looked directly into the camera.
“If Nathan finds out about the girl, use Grace.”
Grace covered her mouth.
Victoria continued.
“Everything necessary is already on Nathan’s computer. Make the police believe Grace planned the transfers.”
Then another voice came from behind the camera.
A man.
“What about the child?”
Victoria smiled.
“She becomes useful once Nathan is gone.”
The recording ended.
Nathan stared at the screen.
Grace whispered, “Once you’re gone?”
Nathan looked at the officer.
The officer’s expression had changed completely.
“This is no longer just an assault investigation.”
Nathan pulled Lily close.
“What are you saying?”
May you like
The officer answered carefully.
“I’m saying your fiancée may have been planning something much worse.”
