Chapter 17
Back at the federal precinct, Marcus Vance sat across the metal interrogation table from Caroline, sliding a printed transcription of Juliette's statement across the surface.
"Serpent cufflinks," Marcus said, tapping his pen against the paper. "Richard Sinclair has been wearing those exact custom platinum-and-onyx serpent cufflinks at every high-society gala for the past five years. His jeweler in Milan confirmed the commission order back in twenty-twenty."
"So Richard wasn't just a hostile takeover bidder waiting in the wings," Caroline said, her voice frighteningly steady as she stared at the transcription. "He was an active participant in the arson conspiracy from day one. When Dad's financial irregularities threatened to expose Sinclair Industries' municipal kickbacks, Richard used Juliette's vanity and insecurity to orchestrate the fire."
"And when the fire didn't completely destroy you—when the underground clinic kept you comatose for three years under a Jane Doe classification—Richard and Juliette continued funding your isolation to ensure you never woke up to testify," Marcus added, leaning back in his chair. "We have enough circumstantial evidence to bring Richard in for questioning regarding obstruction and conspiracy, but without a signed confession or direct physical evidence linking him to the hallway on the night of the fire, his high-priced legal team will claim it's a corporate smear campaign."
Caroline stood up from the table, walking over to the mirrored observation glass. She looked at her reflection—the jagged burn scars along her left jawline catching the harsh fluorescent light. Every line of damaged tissue was a permanent reminder of what Richard and her family had stolen from her.
"We don't need a confession, Marcus," Caroline said quietly, turning around to face the veteran detective. "We need a trap."
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"A trap?" Marcus raised an eyebrow. "Richard Sinclair isn't some street-level grifter. He commands a private security detail of former intelligence operatives. If you walk into his tower alone, you won't walk out."
"I won't be walking in alone," Caroline replied, a sharp, brilliant smile touching her lips. "And I won't be going as a victim."
