Chapter 12 - The Second Phone
Evelyn surrendered the second phone the following morning.
Not to Damien.
To Ruiz.
Caroline Moss stood beside her during the interview.
Damien watched through a one-way observation window only because Ruiz allowed it after Evelyn consented.
He almost wished she had not.
The screenshots destroyed what remained of his denial.
Marcus:
The pool gives us distance.
Evelyn:
And if he survives?
Marcus:
Then we make sure everyone believes it was random.
Another.
Evelyn:
I don’t want him suffering.
Marcus:
He won’t have time.
Another.
Marcus:
Once Damien is gone, you control the trust. I control the board. Nobody can move without us.
Evelyn:
Together.
Damien turned away.
Claire stood beside him.
“You don’t have to watch.”
“Yes, I do.”
“No.”
“I do.”
Inside the interview room, Ruiz asked the obvious question.
“Did you agree to kill your husband?”
Evelyn cried silently.
Caroline touched her arm but did not interrupt.
Finally Evelyn said, “Yes.”
Damien closed his eyes.
One word.
Eleven years ended with one word.
Ruiz continued.
“Whose idea was the snake attack?”
“Marcus suggested the pool.”
“Who suggested snakes?”
“He did.”
“Who released them?”
“I did.”
“Did you understand they were venomous?”
“Yes.”
“Did you intend Damien Crowe to be bitten?”
Evelyn hesitated.
Caroline whispered, “Answer truthfully.”
“I knew he could be.”
“That isn’t what I asked.”
Evelyn looked at the table.
“Yes.”
Damien left the observation room.
Claire followed him into the hallway.
He leaned against the wall.
His hands shook.
“I knew.”
Claire said nothing.
“I knew before she said it.”
“I know.”
“Why does hearing it hurt more?”
“Because suspicion leaves somewhere to hide.”
Damien looked at her.
“Truth doesn’t.”
“No.”
Across the hallway, a door opened.
Simone had arrived.
She saw Damien’s face.
No explanation was necessary.
She crossed the space and wrapped her arms around him.
Damien resisted for half a second.
Then collapsed against his sister.
It was the first time they had hugged since their father’s funeral.
Hours later, Evelyn was arrested.
Attempted murder.
Conspiracy.
Evidence tampering.
Financial charges remained under investigation.
Marcus Vale disappeared before detectives reached his apartment.
His passport had not been used.
His primary car remained in the garage.
But seven million dollars had moved through three domestic entities within hours.
Ruiz called Damien.
“We believe he planned an exit.”
“With Evelyn?”
“No.”
Damien was not surprised.
“Any idea where?”
“Not yet.”
Claire entered carrying another file.
“We may have something.”
She placed satellite-property records on Damien’s desk.
“Vale Strategic Partners leases two residences. One in Los Angeles. One in Palm Springs.”
“Police searched both.”
“Officially.”
“What does that mean?”
“The Palm Springs property has a detached guest house registered under a different parcel number.”
Damien stared.
“You think he’s hiding there?”
“I think Marcus likes legal separations.”
Ruiz heard through speakerphone.
“We’ll check.”
Damien stood.
“Now?”
“Yes.”
“Call me.”
“No.”
“Ruiz.”
“You are not watching a fugitive arrest in real time.”
“You’re incredibly irritating.”
“Occupational advantage.”
The line disconnected.
For three hours, nothing happened.
Damien sat with Simone in the estate library.
They said little.
Finally Simone asked, “Do you want to sell this place?”
Damien looked around.
Evelyn had chosen most of the furniture.
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because she tried to take my life here.”
“That sounds like a reason to leave.”
“It’s a reason not to give her the house too.”
Simone nodded.
“You always were territorial.”
“You always were annoying.”
“Dad mentioned that in my letter.”
Damien smiled.
His phone rang.
Ruiz.
He answered immediately.
“Did you find him?”
“No.”
Damien’s stomach dropped.
“But we found the guest house.”
“What was inside?”
“Computers. Documents. Cash.”
“How much?”
“Enough.”
“Anything else?”
Ruiz paused.
“A wall covered with photographs.”
“Of who?”
“You.”
Damien stopped breathing.
Ruiz continued.
“Your homes. Your vehicles. Your office. Your travel routes.”
Claire went still.
Then Ruiz said, “And there’s something you need to prepare yourself for.”
Damien gripped the phone.
“What?”
“Marcus wasn’t planning this for eleven months.”
“How long?”
“We found surveillance photographs dated three years before he met Evelyn.”
Damien stared at the pool through the windows.
Marcus had not fallen into an affair and discovered an opportunity.
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He had targeted the Crowe family first.
Evelyn came later.
