They arranged for the children’s school to be notified discreetly that only Emily, Natalie, or Daniel’s office could pick them up. They documented her cheek injury. They preserved the threatening texts Derek sent while she was gone.
Because of course he had kept texting.
Derek: The kids need stability. Stop acting crazy.
Derek: You want a war? Fine.
Derek: If you come near my house uninvited, I’ll have you trespassed.
His house.
Every time he wrote that, Emily felt a little less afraid and a little more cold.
That evening, back at the motel, Vanessa called again.
Emily put it on speaker with Natalie and Daniel both listening.
“Tomorrow night,” Vanessa said without preamble. “He’s having people over Friday. Small group. He thinks he’s celebrating.”
“Celebrating what?” Emily asked.
“Moving the last of the money. Leaving his old life behind.” Vanessa’s voice carried open disgust now. “He also plans to announce that he and I are ‘officially together.’”
Natalie mouthed, I hate him.
Emily said, “Why tell me that?”
“Because I want you there when it breaks.”
Daniel leaned in and wrote on a legal pad: Ask who else knows.
Emily followed the note. “Who else is involved?”
“Two lenders. One investor. Maybe his accountant, though I think Derek kept him compartmentalized. I’ve already sent copies of some files to someone who can’t ignore them.”
“Who?”
“A federal investigator.”
The room went still.
Daniel’s eyebrows rose.
Emily said slowly, “You’re serious.”
“Yes.”
“Why are you doing this?”
Vanessa didn’t answer immediately.
When she did, her voice was lower than Emily had ever heard it.
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