CHAPTER 11 — THE FINAL WILL
Emily refused to surrender the ledger.
“She can destroy the paper,” Emily told Daniel. “She can’t destroy the truth.”
Daniel was less certain.
Without the original will, Preston’s attorneys could delay the inheritance for years.
During that time, creditors could seize parts of the company. Employees would lose jobs. Victims’ families might never receive compensation.
Nora knew exactly where to apply pressure.
Emily studied the photograph Nora had sent.
Behind her was a stone fireplace with a carved lion above the mantel.
Emily recognized it.
Her father’s hunting lodge.
Police surrounded the property before dawn.
Nora stood inside with the original will, several financial files, and a container of fuel.
She demanded that Emily come alone.
Emily had given birth only days earlier, but she insisted on going.
Daniel tried to stop her.
“Nora betrayed both of us.”
“That’s why she may still listen to me.”
Emily entered the lodge wearing a concealed microphone.
Nora waited beside the fireplace.
“You should be with your baby,” she said.
“So should you.”
Nora looked confused.
Emily placed an old photograph on the table.
It showed Nora holding a little boy.
Federal investigators had discovered the truth while searching her records.
Nora had a son she had kept hidden from Preston and Lydia.
He lived under another name.
Preston had threatened to expose and frame him if Nora stopped cooperating.
“You killed my father to protect your son,” Emily said.
Nora began to cry.
“I thought they would destroy him.”
“And now Preston is in custody. Lydia is still running. Your son will never be safe until you tell the truth.”
Nora lowered the will.
“Lydia has enough money and documents to disappear forever.”
“Where is she?”
“I don’t know.”
Emily stepped closer.
“You do.”
Nora looked toward the window.
“She has a private plane at a rural airfield. She plans to leave the country this morning.”
Daniel’s voice came through Emily’s hidden earpiece.
Police were moving toward the airfield.
Nora handed Emily the original will.
Then she removed a second document from her coat.
“This is Arthur’s final codicil.”
The document stated that if Preston or Lydia were found responsible for harming Emily, all Vale family interests would be liquidated to compensate the victims of Vale Industries.
Emily signed the receipt accepting the document.
Police entered the lodge.
Nora surrendered without resistance.
At the airfield, officers reached Lydia’s plane seconds before takeoff.
The pilot was arrested.
The luggage contained cash, jewelry, and false passports.
But Lydia was not aboard.
Only one passenger had entered the plane.
A woman disguised in Lydia’s clothing.
Lydia had used a decoy.
Security footage showed her leaving the airfield in a delivery truck.
Her destination was unknown.
Then Emily received an alert from the hospital.
Someone using Lydia’s stolen identification badge had entered the neonatal unit.
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Hope’s incubator was empty.
And the guard outside Emily’s daughter’s room had been found unconscious.
