The Husband’s Signature
Chapter 07 - The Husband’s Signature
Paul produced a contract bearing Ryan’s electronic signature.
It authorized “structural pressure testing” on the estate staircase the morning of the gala.
Payment came from Ryan’s private account.
Ryan denied signing it.
Marcus examined the authentication log.
The signature originated from Ryan’s office computer while he was at the hospital with Grace for a prenatal appointment.
Only two people had access: Ryan and his executive assistant, Nathan Cross.
Nathan had worked beside Ryan for eight years.
He managed schedules, passwords, and board communications.
When police reached his apartment, it was empty.
A wall safe contained cash, passports, and photographs of Grace taken before she met Ryan.
Nathan had watched her for years.
One photograph showed him meeting Arthur Sterling shortly before Arthur’s death.
Arthur had not trusted Eleanor to keep Samuel’s heirs away from the company.
He created a second line of protection.
Nathan was Arthur’s unacknowledged son.
Ryan’s uncle.
Arthur placed him inside Ryan’s office to preserve Sterling control if Eleanor became weak.
Nathan forged Ryan’s signature, hired Paul, and sent the note imitating Vanessa.
He wanted Grace frightened into leaving the estate.
Paul insisted the railing was supposed to loosen only after she passed.
Nathan changed the wire position hours before the gala.
Someone intended a real fall.
Grace looked at Ryan.
“Your family keeps creating secret children and calling them insurance.”
Ryan closed his eyes.
Nathan had access to company aircraft, accounts, and security routes.
If he knew the archive was open, he would not run.
He would return for Samuel’s data recorder.
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That night, the estate alarms failed.
Footsteps sounded beneath the staircase.
