Chapter 11 - The Missing Seven Minutes.
Claire stared at the dead phone as though it had betrayed her personally.
For several seconds the only sound was lake water striking the pilings beneath them.
The confession had existed within reach, and now it seemed possible that the entire truth had vanished with one damaged circuit.
“No.”
She pressed the power button again.
Nothing happened.
Mercer took it from her and examined the cracked casing.
“The bullet may have damaged it.”
“It was recording.”
“We'll have digital forensics recover whatever they can.”
Claire laughed bitterly.
“If Victor gets to the bank first, none of that matters.”
Ethan held Lily tighter.
“What is in the vault?”
Claire looked at him.
For once, there was no performance left in her face.
“Hannah's original trust documents, transaction records, and a video.”
“You knew.”
“I knew she had evidence.”
“You knew she suspected Victor.”
“Yes.”
“And you said nothing for three years.”
Claire looked down.
“I was afraid.”
“You were paid.”
Her silence confirmed it.
Ethan felt more disgust than anger now.
“You helped him get into my garage.”
“I thought he was planting documents.”
“You drugged Lily tonight.”
“I gave her medicine because she wouldn't stop screaming.”
“You locked her in a suitcase.”
Claire's eyes filled.
“I did.”
Lily turned her face into Ethan's shoulder.
Claire took one step toward them.
Ethan's voice stopped her.
“Do not come near her.”
Police lights appeared through the boathouse walls.
Mercer received a call from the hospital.
Mason had survived the shooting and was asking for immunity in exchange for testimony.
Victor's circle was beginning to collapse.
But one problem remained.
Victor had the vault key.
Rose entered the boathouse with another officer.
When Ethan told her, she did not panic.
“Hannah never trusted a single key.”
She opened her purse and removed an envelope.
Inside was a second brass key.
Claire stared.
“She made a duplicate?”
“No.”
Rose shook her head.
“The key Victor took opens an empty box.”
Ethan looked at her.
“Hannah expected this too?”
“She expected Victor to follow whatever looked easiest to steal.”
Rose handed Ethan the second key.
“The real box is under Lily's middle name.”
Mercer immediately ordered two units to Commonwealth Bank.
Ethan looked at the dark lake where Victor had disappeared.
“He knows about the bank.”
“Then we go now,” Mercer said.
They left Claire in custody and drove downtown with Lily wrapped in Ethan's coat.
Commonwealth Bank occupied an old stone building that had once served as a private trust company.
The overnight manager recognized Rose and led them below ground.
Rows of brass vault doors stretched through the basement.
Rose stopped at Box 417.
Ethan inserted the key.
Inside sat one sealed envelope, three ledgers, and a small video drive.
On the envelope Hannah had written Ethan's name.
His hands shook as he opened it.
The first line was not about Victor.
It was about Claire.
Ethan, Claire is guilty of betraying me, but she is not the person I fear most.
Ethan read the next line twice.
The person I fear most sits on the board of your company and has been beside Victor from the beginning.
Below the sentence was one name.
May you like
Richard Carter.
Ethan's older brother.
