Chapter 3 - The Financial Motive
Two hours passed in the cold holding cell.
A guard unlocked the iron bars with keys.
"Your attorney posted your emergency bail, Harper."
I stepped out into the precinct lobby area.
My old friend Detective Miller stood waiting there.
Miller was a retired private investigator I trusted.
Beside Miller stood my ex-wife Sarah today.
Sarah was Lily's biological mother from first marriage.
Sarah's face was pale, tears filling her eyes.
She rushed toward me, grabbing my hoodie sleeves.
"Daniel, tell me you didn't do this!"
"I swear on my life, Sarah, I didn't!"
I grabbed Sarah's trembling shoulders with firm hands.
"Kate burned Lily to frame me today!"
Sarah looked into my eyes, seeing my truth.
She knew how deeply I loved our daughter.
"Why would Kate do something so evil?" Sarah.
Investigator Miller pulled a thick document from coat.
"I checked the family trust records an hour ago."
Miller explained, handing me the certified paper file.
"Your late mother left a five-million-dollar trust."
"The money is set aside for Lily's future."
"According to the trust's legal execution clause,"
"If Daniel is convicted of a felony charge,"
"Full management of the money passes to stepmother."
My blood ran cold as realization struck hard.
Kate didn't just want to destroy my life.
She wanted total control of Lily's inheritance money.
Today was two days before Lily's seventh birthday.
The trust fund was set to unlock soon.
Kate needed me convicted before the birthday date.
If I was locked in prison for child abuse,
Kate would receive five million dollars tax free.
She had married me two years ago for this.
She spent two years planning this exact crime.
She was willing to burn a small child.
All to secure a multi-million-dollar estate payout.
"Where is Kate right now?" I asked Miller.
"She is at the hospital with Lily," Miller.
"She is filing for emergency sole legal custody."
"If the judge signs that order tonight,"
"She can move Lily to another state facility."
"We have to stop her right now, Sarah."
I said, my voice turning into solid steel.
"We need to find the real crime evidence."
Miller pulled out his private car key unit.
"I have my equipment in the van outside."
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"Let's go to your house before Kate returns."
📖 Chapter 4 reveals the break-in at my home to secure the hidden bathroom crime scene. Don't stop reading now. 👇
