Chapter 6 - The Arrest Warrant
Detective Samuel Grant entered the garage with six officers.
He showed Adrian a warrant charging him with evidence tampering, unlawful confinement, and assault.
The assault charge came from Caleb.
The evidence-tampering charge concerned Claire’s car.
Someone had reported Adrian moving objects inside the preserved vehicle.
The unlawful-confinement charge came from several guests who claimed the gates had been locked against their will.
Daniel argued that the estate had been secured to preserve evidence.
Grant remained unmoved.
“You can explain it downtown.”
Adrian looked at the officers.
“You arrived very quickly.”
Grant’s jaw tightened.
“The complaint came from your brother.”
“No.”
“The warrant was prepared before Caleb reported the assault.”
Grant did not answer.
Natalie stepped forward.
“Who requested it?”
One officer reached for her.
Daniel blocked him.
The garage filled with raised voices.
Emma began crying.
Adrian lifted both hands.
“Stop.”
He looked at Rachel.
“Take Emma to the east apartment.”
Rachel shook her head.
“I am not leaving while they take you.”
“They cannot question her without you.”
“Keep her safe.”
Rachel hesitated.
Then she nodded.
As officers handcuffed Adrian, Madison appeared at the top of the garage stairs.
She had changed out of her blue gown.
A long coat covered her dress.
“Adrian,” she said softly.
He stared at her.
“Did you call the police?”
“I called for help.”
“You sent a message to Vale.”
Her eyes flickered.
“I do not know anyone named Vale.”
Daniel held up the photograph.
Madison saw it.
Her mask slipped.
Only for a moment.
Grant ordered the photograph seized.
Daniel refused.
Two officers restrained him.
Natalie began recording on her phone.
Margaret stood against the wall, silent and pale.
Adrian looked at his mother.
“Say something.”
She lowered her eyes.
That hurt more than the handcuffs.
At the station, Adrian was placed inside an interview room.
Detective Grant entered alone.
He set a folder on the table.
“We found evidence in your study.”
“What evidence?”
“A handwritten letter in which Claire said she was afraid of you.”
Adrian laughed without humor.
“Claire’s handwriting can be forged.”
“There was also a life-insurance policy.”
“I was the beneficiary.”
“You received ninety million dollars.”
“I did not claim it.”
Grant paused.
Adrian had donated the entire amount to the hospital where Claire volunteered.
The detective turned another page.
“Your wife called a private investigator two weeks before her death.”
“Why?”
“I did not know she had.”
“The investigator disappeared.”
Adrian leaned back.
“Who signed your warrant?”
“Judge Leland.”
Adrian recognized the name.
Judge Peter Leland sat on the board of the Westwood Family Foundation.
He had attended the engagement party.
He had left through the east gate minutes before police arrived.
Grant watched his face.
“You know him.”
“He knows my mother.”
Grant closed the folder.
“Your family wants this contained.”
“My family wants me contained.”
The door opened.
A young officer whispered something to Grant.
The detective’s expression changed.
He left without explanation.
Ten minutes later, Natalie entered with an attorney.
She placed a phone on the table.
“Rachel and Emma are missing.”
Adrian stood so fast the chair fell backward.
“What happened?”
“Someone triggered the fire alarm in the east apartment.”
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“The guards found Rachel unconscious.”
“Emma was gone.”
