Chapter 8 - The Man Who Knew Every Signature
Claire did not trust Grant.
But she believed fear.
And Grant was terrified of Daniel Price.
Sheriff’s deputies searched Ruth’s cottage while Claire remained outside.
Grant sat on the hood of a patrol vehicle, watched by an officer.
“You think Daniel took her?” Claire asked.
“He has more to lose than anyone.”
“You stole millions.”
“Yes.”
The admission struck Claire like a slap.
He looked directly at her.
“I diverted money.”
“Why?”
“To buy back Falcon Crest debt.”
She stared.
“You were stealing from Vale Ridge to secretly buy the debt your mother used to control Vale Ridge?”
“Yes.”
“That is insane.”
“I was trying to get out.”
“By committing another crime.”
“I never said it was smart.”
For one second he looked like the Grant she had known.
Flawed.
Proud.
Cornered.
Then she remembered the shovel.
“You threatened our daughter.”
His face crumpled.
“I know.”
“That is the line you cannot step back across.”
“I know.”
Claire hated that part of her still hurt for him.
“Tell me about Daniel.”
Grant glanced toward the deputies.
“He knew about the original Falcon Crest setup.”
“Michael photographed him with you.”
“He drafted supporting documents.”
“And the forged trust amendment?”
“I told Daniel what I wanted.”
“So you ordered it.”
“I wanted the acquisition option.”
“Using my father’s dead hand.”
“Yes.”
“Did you know the amendment was forged?”
Grant hesitated.
“Yes.”
Claire turned away.
He continued.
“Daniel created the document. He used a signature page Michael had signed for another amendment.”
“And you filed it.”
“He filed it.”
“For your benefit.”
“Yes.”
Claire took several breaths.
“Did you alter Dad’s medication?”
“No.”
“You expect me to believe you now?”
“No.”
That answer stopped her.
Grant rubbed his face.
“I knew Michael’s pills had been changed after he collapsed.”
“How?”
“Because Daniel told me.”
Claire stared.
“When?”
“That night.”
“What exactly did he say?”
Grant’s voice lowered.
“He said, ‘The problem is over. Don’t ask how.’”
Claire’s skin crawled.
“Why didn’t you call police?”
“Because I had just spent four years stealing money from the company.”
“So you protected yourself.”
“Yes.”
“And Mom—Evelyn?”
“She knew there was a confrontation. She didn’t know about the pills.”
“You’re protecting her.”
“I’m telling you what I know.”
Claire pointed at him.
“Dad’s black box was buried because of you.”
“Yes.”
“You stole his phone.”
“Yes.”
“You forged his estate plan.”
“I benefited from it.”
“You helped hide his suspected murder.”
Grant looked down.
“Yes.”
“You terrified Ava into silence.”
His voice cracked.
“Yes.”
Claire felt tears sting her eyes, but anger held them back.
“I married you.”
“I know.”
“I built a life with you.”
“I know.”
“Stop saying that.”
Grant fell silent.
A deputy approached.
“Mrs. Mercer?”
Claire had never changed her surname professionally, but legally she was Claire Mercer.
Right now she hated hearing it.
“We found signs Ms. Delgado left voluntarily at first. Her purse is gone. Car too.”
“Then the blood?”
“Could be unrelated. We’re checking.”
Claire’s phone rang.
Ruth.
She answered instantly.
“Ruth?”
Silence.
Then breathing.
“Claire.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m safe.”
“Where?”
“I can’t tell you yet.”
Claire closed her eyes in relief and fury.
“You let me think you were kidnapped.”
“I’m sorry.”
“What is happening?”
“I went to see Daniel.”
Grant jumped to his feet.
Claire held up a hand to stop him.
“Why?”
“Because Michael asked me to.”
“When?”
“Before he died.”
Claire’s voice hardened.
“What else have you been hiding?”
“A recording.”
Grant swore softly.
Ruth continued.
“Michael believed Daniel would confess if he thought I was willing to protect him.”
“Did he?”
“Partly.”
“Where is the recording?”
“With me.”
“What did Daniel say?”
Ruth hesitated.
“That Grant didn’t change the medicine.”
Grant closed his eyes.
Claire asked, “Then who did?”
Ruth started crying.
“Daniel said Michael changed it himself.”
Claire stared into the rain.
“That makes no sense.”
“He claimed Michael was trying to make himself sick enough to create evidence against Grant.”
“That’s absurd.”
“I know.”
“What else?”
Ruth inhaled shakily.
“He said there’s surveillance footage from the night Michael died.”
“Where?”
“Daniel has it.”
Grant’s head snapped up.
Claire asked, “Why would Daniel have vineyard footage?”
“Because the camera server backed up automatically to the legal archive after Michael started investigating Northstar.”
Grant whispered, “I didn’t know that.”
Ruth continued.
“Daniel said the footage shows who entered Michael’s office.”
Claire gripped the phone.
“Did he show you?”
“No. When I asked, he became frightened.”
“Of what?”
“He said if the footage comes out, it proves Michael’s death wasn’t about money.”
Claire felt a chill.
“What was it about?”
Ruth’s voice became almost inaudible.
May you like
“You.”
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