Chapter 4 - The Brother
Grant did not believe Nolan at first.
Then Nolan showed him Elena's handwriting.
Grant knew Darius had managed parts of Catherine's trust after her death.
He also knew Darius had been the last family member to see Catherine alive.
That fact had never felt important because Darius claimed he left the estate three hours before the fall.
Security logs confirmed it.
Or appeared to.
Grant's security director, Marcus Shaw, reviewed the original access data.
One entry had been overwritten.
Darius's departure time was false.
His badge left at 6:14 p.m.
Then re-entered through a service gate at 9:02.
Catherine fell at 9:37.
Grant stared at the log.
"Why wasn't this in the police file?"
Marcus looked sick.
"Because I gave them a printed report."
"Who generated it?"
"My deputy."
"Where is he?"
"Retired."
"Name?"
"Peter Lane."
Peter Lane had moved to Florida eight months after Catherine died.
Grant called the detective who handled the case.
The detective said there had been no evidence of foul play.
Then Nolan asked one question.
"Did anyone tell you Catherine had a secret apartment?"
The detective went silent.
No.
Nobody had.
Grant turned toward Nolan.
"My wife was hiding from someone."
"Maybe."
"And your wife knew."
"Yes."
Grant looked furious.
"Why didn't she tell me?"
Nolan answered carefully.
"Maybe she didn't trust you."
Grant flinched.
That hurt more than accusation.
Then Avery entered the study.
She carried Catherine's bracelet.
She placed it on the desk.
"Darius said Mommy didn't deserve it."
Grant went still.
"When did he say that?"
"The night she died."
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And for the first time, Grant understood that Avery's so-called behavioral problems had begun after witnessing something nobody had believed she could explain.
