Page 98 of Lost Cause
“What’s in the case?” Abby asked.
“Microsoft stock certificates Valentino bought at the company’s initial public offering. With all the stock splits, and the increase in share prices, his initial investment is now worth about fifteen million dollars.”
“A lot of good they’ll do you. You can’t trade stocks in Valentino’s name.”
Estelle gave her a sly grin. “I’ve already had a document made showing Valentino transferred the shares to me. I even added Victor’s signature as the witness. It’s a world-class forgery. No one would question it.”
“That would be some haul,” Abby admitted. “If you knew about the stock, why wait until now to take the case?”
“No point back then. It wasn’t worth much.” She frowned. “Foolish me, I figured I’d be set for life with the money I got from selling the crown. Big mistake. I’m accustomed to a certain lifestyle, so I had to come back.”
Just what they’d suspected, except it was for stocks and not the crown. “I suppose it cost a lot more to raise a child than you planned.”
“You found my journal.” She honestly seemed impressed. “Don’t think for one minute I had that child. Even then, I knew without Vincent’s fortune and title, I didn’t want to raise another child.”
Abby didn’t want a picture of what she had done to get rid of the baby. “So, what happened to Vincent? Did he get smart and leave you?”
She laughed. “I thought you found Vincent’s body at the mansion. How do you think it got there?”
“Vincent?” Abby took a moment to process the comment. “You killed Victor’s brother and buried him at the mansion?”
She cocked her head at a superior angle. “I was so tired of my life here, and I knew Victor wouldn’t leave. But Vincent offered to take me away from it all. Until the day we were going to leave.Then something came over the fool. He felt a sudden need to tell Victor what was going on.”
“So you killed him to stop him?”
“No. No. It was an accident. I couldn’t risk Victor finding a way to make me stay, so I argued with Vincent. It got heated. I shoved him. He grabbed my locket and the chain gave way. He lost his balance and stumbled. Hit his head on a rock. Died instantly.”
“If it was an accident, why didn’t you report it?”
“And stay here?” Her voice skyrocketed. “Maybe end up in jail here? No. No way.”
“So you buried him to hide your crime.”
“Hah. Look at me.” She wiggled her well-manicured fingernails. “Do I look like someone who could dig a grave and drag a large man into it?”
Yeah, Abby thought it was improbable, but people did amazing things when in shock. “Who helped you bury the body? Was it Shaw?”
“Shaw? You’ve got to be kidding. He sold the crown for me, then broke in to steal the bogus crown. He also tried to impale your boat with one he’d stolen to silence Victor in case he discovered anything over the years. Fool couldn’t even do that.”
“Of course, you promised him something in return.”
“I might have offered to share a portion of my new wealth.” A devious grin crossed her face. “But that’s it.”
Abby planted her hands on her hips. “I find it hard to believe that’s your full relationship with him.”
“I’m telling the truth, but you don’t have to believe me.” She tilted her head. “I don’t know why I’m bothering to answer this. Not when I won’t let you live beyond today.”
Abby had no doubt she would follow through on her threat. Not after she so callously killed and buried Vincent. But Abbywould do everything to make sure she stayed alive. She needed to buy time until she could figure a way out of this situation.
“So who did bury Vincent?” she asked.
“Juan. The fool was in love with me and would do anything for me. Even cover up Vincent’s death.”
Another surprise. “And no one missed Vincent or was looking for him?”
Estelle shrugged. “I was gone, so I have no idea, but Victor and our children were his only living relatives. Vincent’s obvious advances toward me made Victor write him off. He didn’t want to have anything to do with his brother. Probably wouldn’t wonder what happened to him.” She gave a guttural laugh. “The perfect crime.”
“Not so perfect,” Abby said. “We unearthed the remains, and we’re hot on your trail.”
