Chapter 16 - THE PLACE NATHAN TOOK HER AS A CHILDThe cabin was small.
Riley remembered immediately.
Not location.
Smell.
Pine.
Dust.
Old fireplace.
Nathan had taken her there twice.
Called it camping though it had electricity.
She remembered pancakes.
Remembered him teaching knots.
Remembered a metal box she was told never to touch.
Investigators processed cabin first.
Then allowed Riley and Dominic with supervision.
The key opened lockbox under floor.
Inside:
Cassette recorder.
Printed documents.
One photograph of Riley at six.
Nathan had written back:
WHY I’M DOING THIS.
Riley held photograph.
Dominic looked away.
The recording played.
Nathan’s voice.
Older.
Tired.
If this is being heard, I probably didn't get to make the meeting tomorrow.
Riley closed eyes.
Vincent Kade is responsible for crimes committed under Dominic Vance’s reputation without Dominic’s direct authorization. Dominic is not innocent. He built climate Vincent exploited. But Vincent crossed lines Dominic does not know exist.
Dominic absorbed.
Nathan always precise.
No absolution.
No false accusation.
I have evidence Vincent arranged intimidation, extortion, fraudulent acquisitions and at least two deaths. Samuel Vance may be one.
Dominic's jaw tightened.
I believe Vincent knows I discovered him.
If something happens to me, Riley must not become part of this.
Riley began crying.
Nathan continued.
Riley, if you hear this, I’m sorry.
I wanted to give you normal childhood.
You deserved one.
She covered face.
Dominic reached halfway.
Stopped.
Riley grabbed his hand herself.
He held.
Nathan's voice:
Dominic, if she called you, then I failed and you’re probably angry.
Dominic laughed brokenly.
Nathan:
Do not avenge me.
Protect her.
And for once in your life, listen before you act.
Grant actually smiled.
Dominic muttered:
“Bastard.”
Riley cried and laughed.
Then recording changed.
Nathan described meeting scheduled with federal investigator.
He named intermediary:
Vincent’s attorney, Paul Renner, knows I’m going.
Why tell Renner?
Nathan had tried legal channel thinking attorney independent.
Renner betrayed.
Nathan ended:
There is a second copy of evidence at Saint Michael’s Ridge.
Already found.
The final name is in blue ledger.
Grant looked through box.
Blue ledger.
There.
Riley opened.
Pages of coded initials, but one section full names.
At bottom:
ORDER AUTHORIZATION — V.K.
Beside Nathan’s death date.
Payment to contractor later tied to staged vehicle collision.
Not courtroom proof alone.
But strong corroboration.
Riley stared.
“That’s it.”
Dominic:
“Yes.”
“He ordered it.”
“Yes.”
Riley stood abruptly.
“I want to see him.”
“No.”
“I need—”
“No.”
She turned furious.
“You promised choice!”
“Choice about your life.”
“Not walking into room with man who ordered your father murdered while investigation active.”
“You don’t own me.”
“No.”
“But I can refuse facilitating danger.”
Riley’s face burned.
Dominic remained.
Nathan’s stubbornness in her.
Finally she said:
“I hate when you’re right.”
“So did he.”
She sat.
Recording ended with one final line:
Riley, I love you more than every mistake I ever made.
The room became silent.
Riley rewound.
Played again.
Then again.
Dominic let her.
May you like
Some evidence was for court.
That sentence was only for daughter.
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