Chapter 3 - THE MECHANIC'S CONFESSION
The heavy red steel toolbox sat on the mahogany desk, looking violently out of place among the first-edition books and crystal decanters. Hannah’s hands shook as she opened the main compartment. It was filled with standard wrenches, sockets, and grease-stained rags.
"She said the little drawer was stuck," Adrian murmured, remembering Maisie’s words. He pulled out the bottom drawer. It wouldn't budge. Adrian gripped the handle and yanked with all his strength. The metal groaned and gave way, revealing a false bottom.
Inside lay a burner phone, a thick stack of hundred-dollar bills, and a small, grease-stained notebook.
Adrian opened the notebook. It was a log. But the final entry, dated the day of Eleanor’s crash, made Adrian’s blood run cold.
Nolan paid 50k. Cut the brake lines on the SUV. Was supposed to be just a scare. But they crashed. I pulled her from the wreck before the cops came. She gave me the ring. Said 'Keep it to prove Nolan did this.' I'm scared. Nolan will kill me if he knows I have it.
Adrian stared at the words. His cousin. His own flesh and blood. Nolan had orchestrated the crash. Nolan, who had insisted Adrian cancel his family weekend to handle a fabricated corporate emergency. Nolan, who had been positioning himself for a hostile takeover of Mercer Industries ever since.
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"He murdered them," Adrian whispered, the sound tearing from his throat like a dying animal. "And then he murdered your husband to cover his tracks."
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