Chapter 12 - The Night Grant Stayed Late.
The forensic technician searched the teddy bear's recordings by timestamp.
The requested date appeared near the middle of the memory card.
For the first twenty minutes, there was almost nothing except Lily breathing and the soft rustle of blankets.
Then footsteps entered her bedroom.
Margaret's recorded voice whispered goodnight.
A door closed.
Several minutes passed.
Then Lily climbed out of bed.
The microphone captured small bare feet moving across carpet and hardwood.
Adrian pictured his daughter carrying the bear through the dark hallway.
The sound stopped near the east wing.
Voices became audible behind the locked nursery door.
Vanessa spoke first.
"You said the bank would wait."
Grant answered.
"The bank waited."
"The market didn't."
"If Adrian closes that acquisition, I'm finished."
Adrian looked at Samuel.
There was no longer any doubt about the male voice.
Grant continued.
"I need the trust vote delayed."
Vanessa asked what she would receive.
Grant said, "The house stays in your name, the credit line clears your private debt, and you walk away with enough to never ask Adrian for anything again."
Samuel muttered a curse.
The recording went quiet for a moment.
Then Vanessa said, "And Lily?"
Grant answered with horrifying indifference.
"Temporary guardianship."
"Nothing permanent."
"Once the vote is done, you can give her back."
Adrian's vision blurred.
They spoke about his daughter as if she were collateral.
Vanessa asked what happened if Adrian challenged the signatures.
Grant laughed.
"By the time handwriting experts finish arguing, the vote is over."
"And if he gets angry enough on camera, nobody asks why he signed anything."
Carla stopped the recording.
"That's enough for probable cause on several issues."
Nolan appeared at the library door again.
His confidence had disappeared.
"I need to speak to Detective Reyes."
Vanessa shouted from the drawing room.
"Nolan, don't say another word."
Nolan flinched.
Carla stepped into the hall with him.
Several minutes later, she returned alone.
"Mr. Price wants separate counsel."
Samuel gave a humorless smile.
"That was fast."
Carla continued.
"He says Vanessa provided him with documents she claimed Adrian had signed voluntarily."
"He admits filing the petition using his old firm credentials after Samuel suspended his access."
"He claims Grant paid him a consulting fee to move quickly."
Adrian stared at the wall.
"So everyone knew except me."
Samuel shook his head.
"Everyone involved knew what they needed to know."
"That is how schemes like this survive."
Police obtained authorization to seize Grant's devices based on the security login, recordings, and financial evidence.
An officer called the gatehouse.
Grant's SUV had left twenty minutes earlier.
Carla requested units at his residence and company office.
Vanessa finally emerged from the drawing room with another officer beside her.
She looked exhausted but still defiant.
"You think a recording proves context?"
Adrian said nothing.
"Grant was desperate."
"I was trying to keep him from doing something stupid."
Samuel looked at her.
"By forging a deed?"
Vanessa ignored him.
She focused on Adrian.
"You were never here."
"You have no idea what this house was like while you were traveling."
Adrian's jaw tightened.
"I know enough now."
Vanessa stepped closer.
"No."
"You know what Margaret wants you to know."
"You know what a six-year-old recorded without understanding."
"You know what Grant said when he was panicking."
"But you don't know me."
Adrian looked at her for a long moment.
"That is the first true thing you've said tonight."
Vanessa's face twisted.
Then a phone rang inside Carla's coat.
She answered.
Her expression changed as she listened.
"Where?"
She looked toward Adrian.
"Grant's not at his house."
"His company office is empty too."
Carla listened again.
May you like
Then she asked a question that made Samuel stand.
"Which airport?"
