Chapter 9 - THE LAST PIECE OF THE AMBUSH
The investigation expanded beyond the estate.
Grant's financial records showed payments from companies linked to Silas Vane. Owen Mercer was arrested two days later at a motel outside the city. He agreed to testify after investigators found the original communications between him and Grant.
The evidence established that Grant had changed Nathan's route and supplied the convoy's location. Vane's organization had provided the gunmen. The plan was to kill Nathan, blame the attack on a rival crew, and divide the business before anyone could identify the real agreement.
Grant had expected to inherit the empire.
Instead, he was facing charges.
But one question remained.
Why had Vane wanted Nathan dead?
The answer came from a second file recovered from Grant's private safe. It contained copies of contracts Nathan had refused to sign before the ambush. The contracts would have given Vane control over several legitimate shipping routes and a share of the company's property holdings.
Nathan had rejected them.
Grant had accepted money to make sure the refusal never became permanent.
The final page contained a note from Vane:
IF CALDWELL SURVIVES, HOLLOWAY WILL HANDLE HIM.
Nathan read it without speaking.
Claire sat across from him in the office. Lily was asleep in the adjoining room, her rabbit tucked beneath her chin.
“You don't have to keep looking at it,” Claire said.
“I need to know how many people were involved.”
“You know enough to take it to the authorities.”
Nathan looked at the file.
“For two years, I thought I had lost my legs because someone hated me. Now I know I was betrayed by the person I trusted most.”
“That's not your fault.”
“I chose him.”
“You trusted him. That's not the same as causing what he did.”
Nathan looked at her.
She continued, “Don't let Grant make you believe his choices were yours.”
He closed the folder.
The next morning, Nathan met with the company's independent directors. He announced that he would step away from the criminal side of the operation and place the legitimate businesses under external oversight. Several men protested. One threatened to withdraw his investment.
Nathan let him.
For the first time, he was willing to lose power rather than preserve it through fear.
The transition was not peaceful. Vane's remaining associates tried to intimidate witnesses. Police protection was arranged for Claire, Lily, Elise, and the former employees who had agreed to testify.
One night, Claire found a small package outside her temporary apartment.
Inside was the gray lucky stone Lily had once given Nathan.
A note was attached:
THE GIRL WAS RIGHT. LUCK DOESN'T LAST.
Claire called Nathan immediately.
He sent Matteo to collect them.
May you like
But when the security team arrived, the apartment was empty.
Claire and Lily were gone.
