Chapter 12 - THE PHOTOGRAPH THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING
Audrey looked at the photograph.
Something was wrong.
Not with Olivia.
With the image.
She leaned closer.
"Maxwell, look at her hands."
Maxwell frowned.
"What?"
"The position of her fingers."
Olivia was holding the knife awkwardly.
Her wrist was turned at an unnatural angle.
Audrey had spent years studying medical anatomy.
She recognized that the image didn't match the way Olivia would naturally hold the object.
The photograph might have been staged.
An investigator agreed to have forensic specialists examine it.
Within an hour, they discovered evidence of digital manipulation.
The image had been assembled from separate photographs.
There was no proof Olivia had killed anyone.
Adrian was attempting to frighten Maxwell into surrendering.
But why?
Investigators searched the warehouse's financial records.
Then the truth emerged.
Adrian's network had been moving stolen money through companies associated with Maxwell's legitimate businesses.
Olivia had discovered the transfers.
She had also obtained evidence linking Adrian to financial crimes across several states.
And she had prepared to turn everything over to federal authorities.
Adrian's empire was collapsing.
He needed Maxwell to sign documents transferring control of several companies before investigators froze the assets.
Otherwise, Adrian would lose access to millions.
Maxwell looked at the papers.
"No."
Audrey turned toward him.
"What?"
"I'm not signing anything."
"But Olivia—"
"We're going to save her. We're not going to reward him."
Police negotiators took over communication with Adrian.
Maxwell agreed to appear in a controlled video call while investigators worked to locate Olivia inside the warehouse.
Adrian appeared on-screen.
His silver hair was disheveled.
His expensive suit was stained.
Behind him, someone sat in a chair.
A woman.
Her face was hidden.
"Maxwell," Adrian said pleasantly.
"Sign the papers."
"Let me see my wife."
Adrian smiled.
"Of course."
He stepped aside.
Olivia Gallow lifted her head.
She looked exhausted.
But alive.
Maxwell gripped the table.
"Olivia."
Her lips trembled.
"Max."
Then she glanced toward the camera.
Her hands moved.
Small movements.
Barely visible.
Maxwell didn't understand them.
But Audrey did.
She stared at the screen.
Olivia was signing beneath the table.
May you like
One urgent warning.
"THE CAMERA IS NOT LIVE."
