Chapter 12 - Fire in the Carriage House
Flames poured from the carriage house windows.
Daniel ran toward the building.
Emily grabbed his arm.
“You can’t go in there.”
“The records.”
“Records aren’t worth dying for.”
A security guard appeared from the side entrance.
“There’s someone inside.”
Daniel froze.
“Who?”
“Mr. Lewis.”
Peter Lewis was the family accountant.
He had worked for the Hawthornes for thirty years.
Emily suddenly understood.
“He’s Vanessa’s accomplice.”
The guard shook his head.
“I saw him tied to a chair.”
Daniel rushed forward.
This time Emily followed.
Smoke filled the entrance.
They found Peter near the back office.
His wrists were bound.
A cloth had been stuffed into his mouth.
Daniel cut him free.
The ceiling cracked above them.
They barely escaped before part of the roof collapsed.
Outside, Peter coughed violently.
Detective Reed arrived moments later.
“Who did this?”
Peter looked terrified.
“I don’t know.”
Reed crouched beside him.
“You sent messages to Vanessa.”
Peter’s expression changed.
Emily watched carefully.
“You helped her move money.”
Peter looked toward Margaret.
Then he broke.
“Her father made me do it first.”
Margaret stared at him.
“Victor?”
Peter nodded.
“He had debts.”
“Gambling.”
“Bad investments.”
“He started taking small amounts.”
“Richard found out.”
Daniel stepped forward.
“And my father covered it up.”
Peter nodded.
“Victor threatened to expose Richard’s affair with Laura.”
Emily’s jaw tightened.
“Was there an affair?”
Peter looked at her.
“No.”
The answer landed with unexpected force.
“Richard cared for Laura.”
“But she rejected him.”
“Victor exaggerated everything to control Richard.”
Emily closed her eyes.
Another lie.
Another weapon.
Peter continued.
“When Laura discovered the theft, Victor used her credentials.”
“Richard helped bury it because he feared scandal.”
Margaret whispered.
“And Vanessa?”
Peter looked toward the mansion.
“She found her father’s records five years ago.”
“She discovered how he stole the money.”
“Then she started doing the same thing.”
Reed stood.
“How much?”
Peter’s voice shook.
“Almost twelve million.”
Daniel stared at him.
May you like
Peter swallowed.
“And she was planning to take everything after the wedding.”
