Chapter 9 - The Model Home Confession
The model home stood at the end of an unfinished suburban street.
Mara entered wearing a small recording device while officers waited nearby.
Andrew was pacing inside the empty living room. Victor Hale stood beside a laptop and several packed boxes.
“Give me the envelope,” Andrew demanded.
Mara held it against her chest.
“First tell me what happens after you get it.”
Andrew laughed.
“We destroy it, close the remaining accounts and leave before the police understand what they found.”
“You said Grace approved those loans.”
“She approved nothing.”
Mara forced herself not to look toward the hidden officers.
“What about Daniel and Chloe?”
“I never meant for Chloe to be there,” Andrew replied. “Daniel should have handed over the papers. Instead, he tried to play hero.”
Victor opened the envelope.
His expression changed when he saw blank pages.
“It’s a trap.”
Andrew turned toward Mara.
Police entered before he could reach her.
Officer Cole ordered both men to the floor.
Andrew looked through the front windows and saw Grace standing behind the police line. Chloe was not with her; Grace had left her safely at the hospital with Daniel.
For once, Andrew had no smile prepared.
“You’re destroying Chloe’s future,” he shouted as officers placed him in handcuffs.
Grace stepped closer.
“No, Andrew. I’m protecting it.”
Victor immediately offered to cooperate. He provided investigators with account records, emails and proof that Andrew had planned the fraudulent loans years earlier.
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Andrew had spent years telling everyone that Grace was careless and dependent on him.
In the end, his own words proved the opposite.
