Chapter 10 - Lucas Knew Everything
Naomi stopped the tape.
“We are not going to speculate.”
Willow understood.
A missing man was not proof of murder.
But the financial records were proof of something else.
Richard had transferred Edward’s two percent to himself using a power of attorney signed after Edward had supposedly left the country.
Except customs records showed Edward was still in Chicago on that date.
The signature was likely forged.
Willow spent the afternoon assembling timelines.
Then Lucas appeared outside the repair shop.
Alone.
No security.
No lawyer.
Willow almost did not recognize him.
His tie was gone.
His hair was messy.
For the first time since she had met him, Lucas Sterling looked afraid.
Naomi wanted him removed.
Willow said no.
She met him outside.
Lucas stared at her.
“You found the truck.”
Willow felt something inside her go cold.
“How did you know about the truck?”
Lucas closed his eyes.
That was answer enough.
“You knew where the documents were?”
“No.”
“But you knew they existed.”
Lucas nodded.
Willow stepped backward.
“How long?”
“My father found references to Catherine’s trust six years ago.”
“One year before you met me.”
“Yes.”
“Did he send you to my gallery?”
Lucas said nothing.
Willow’s voice cracked.
“Did he send you?”
“Yes.”
One word.
Five years destroyed.
Lucas moved closer.
“I was supposed to learn what you knew.”
“And then?”
“I fell in love with you.”
“After investigating me?”
“I know how it sounds.”
“It sounds exactly like what it was.”
Lucas’s eyes filled.
“I married you because I wanted you.”
“Did your father approve?”
“He encouraged it.”
“Because marriage could give the Sterling trust access to my inheritance.”
Lucas looked away.
Willow laughed once.
A broken sound.
“Every anniversary.”
“Every Christmas.”
“Every time you asked about Mom.”
“Was any of it real?”
“Yes.”
“Then why prepare the agreement?”
Lucas’s face collapsed.
“My father said Catherine’s documents could destroy everything.”
“And you chose everything.”
Lucas did not deny it.
Willow turned away.
Then Lucas spoke.
“There’s something you don’t know about Amanda.”
Willow stopped.
“She wasn’t the one who found Catherine’s file.”
Lucas looked toward the street.
“I showed it to her.”
Willow turned back.
“Why?”
“Because six years ago, I was going to expose my father.”
For the first time, Lucas looked ashamed rather than angry.
“He stopped me.”
“How?”
May you like
Lucas swallowed.
“He showed me what happened to the last person who tried.”
