Chapter 15 - THE RED LEDGER
The ledger contained Richard Whitmore’s handwritten record of every fraudulent payment Walter had authorized.
It also contained the name of the mechanic Walter paid to damage the plane.
The final page documented Richard’s planned meeting with federal prosecutors.
Walter held the ledger above the fuel-soaked desk.
“One spark ends sixteen years of questions.”
Eleanor stared at the screen.
“No.”
“One spark proves you spent sixteen years believing an accident.”
Walter smiled.
“That is the part I enjoyed most.”
Daniel lunged toward the screen as if he could reach through it.
Eleanor caught his arm.
Walter wanted rage.
He wanted Daniel to abandon the plan.
Eleanor would not allow it.
She spoke calmly.
“You kept the desk because you were afraid.”
“I kept the company alive.”
“You hid behind a child.”
Vanessa looked at Walter.
“I was not a child when I agreed.”
“No,” Eleanor said.
“But you were a child when he taught you whom to hate.”
Walter’s eyes hardened.
“Do not turn my daughter against me.”
Vanessa laughed bitterly.
“You said Richard caused Mom to leave.”
“He did.”
“She left because you stole from your closest friend.”
Walter raised the fuel lighter.
Adrian moved toward Vanessa.
Federal agents waited outside for a clear line of entry.
The warehouse had only two doors.
Both were wired with alarms.
Mark found a third route through an old drainage tunnel.
He and Detective Bennett entered from beneath the building.
Inside the ballroom, guests watched the screens in silence.
Eleanor continued addressing Vanessa.
“You are responsible for what you did in my son’s house.”
“You are responsible for Rosa, Marcus, Helen, and every person you degraded.”
“But responsibility begins with telling the truth.”
Vanessa looked toward the red ledger.
Then toward Adrian.
She suddenly drove her elbow into his ribs.
Adrian released her.
She grabbed the ledger and ran.
Walter shouted.
The lighter fell.
It struck the desk.
Flames rushed across the wood.
Vanessa reached the side door.
Adrian tackled her before she could escape.
The ledger slid across the concrete floor toward the fire.
A gloved hand reached through the drainage opening.
Mark caught it seconds before the flames did.
Federal agents entered from both sides.
Gunshots echoed.
The ballroom screens went black.
May you like
Daniel whispered, “Vanessa.”
No one knew whether she was alive.
