Chapter 9 - THE MISSING TWELVE MINUTES
The hard drive password was not cracked immediately.
While specialists worked, other evidence accumulated.
The camera company restored a partial cabin log from its cloud server. Victor’s executive card opened the exterior system. Chief Reed’s account disabled recording. A third administrator erased twelve minutes afterward.
That account belonged to Hartman family counsel.
The wedding server identified Gregory as the person who carried my marked glass from the ballroom.
A draft settlement created before the ceremony described me assaulting Gregory during a “trauma-related episode.”
The document contained blank spaces for the injury and weapon.
My reaction had been planned as a category, even if they did not know its exact form.
Lauren’s attorney contacted Naomi.
Lauren would cooperate if prosecutors protected her from enforcement of the old settlement.
She confirmed Gregory struck her with a fireplace tool after she refused to transfer her parcel. Victor knocked three times, waited, then entered with Halpern.
They photographed Lauren holding the tool after Gregory placed it in her hand.
She signed the transfer while sedated.
The family doctor documented a fall and panic attack.
Her statement gave meaning to the evidence.
It still required corroboration.
Then the hard-drive specialist discovered the password hint:
WHAT A HARTMAN WIFE LEARNS.
I knew the answer.
HEEL.
The first unlocked video showed Eleanor in the cabin decades earlier.
Victor held a leather belt.
A younger Gregory stood in the doorway watching.
The next file was Lauren’s medical photograph.
The third was a folder labeled ASHLYNN — WEDDING PROTOCOL.
Detective Sloan stopped playback until a warrant covered the entire contents.
Before the screen went dark, I saw a checklist.
Sedative.
Bat.
Medical affidavit.
North Ridge transfer.
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And one final line:
IF BRIDE REMAINS CONSCIOUS, VICTOR ENTERS AFTER THREE KNOCKS.
