Chapter 9 - The Hired Hand
Sheriff Barnes and two deputies arrived within eight minutes, securing the intruder in heavy restraints.
When they pulled the ski mask from his face, Daniel immediately recognized him as Gregory Cross, the head of private security for Vance Logistics.
"Who sent you, Gregory?" Daniel demanded, standing over the handcuffed man.
Gregory kept his mouth shut, staring sullenly at the floor.
Sheriff Barnes pulled a burner phone and a set of master lockpicks from Gregory's jacket pocket.
"He had a flash drive and a forged suicide note addressed from Emily in his pocket," Barnes said, his face darkening with absolute disgust.
"They weren't just trying to intimidate her, Daniel.
They were planning to stage an overdose and leave a confession claiming she stole the harbor contracts.
"
Emily sank onto a wooden stool, her hands trembling violently as Margaret wrapped a thick woolen blanket around her shoulders.
"They tried to kill me," Emily whispered, the horror of the realization sinking in.
"They will never touch you again," Daniel vowed, turning to the sheriff.
"Arthur, I want a direct warrant for Thomas Vance's arrest for conspiracy to commit murder.
Use the serial number on that burner phone.
"
Barnes dialed the county prosecutor on speakerphone right in the middle of the kitchen.
"Prosecutor, this is Barnes.
We have an attempted murder suspect in custody who is directly linked to Vance Logistics.
Issue the emergency arrest warrants for Thomas Vance and upgrade Vanessa Vance's bail conditions to zero-release immediately.
May you like
"
Outside, the storm raged on, but inside the estate, the web of deception was finally tearing apart at the seams.
