The Road to the Airfield
Chapter 16 - The Road to the Airfield
Arthur rode behind Rylan.
Marcus hated the plan, Claire called it reckless, and every joint in Arthur’s body agreed with them.
But motorcycles could move through traffic that trapped the SUVs.
Rylan guided the bike along county roads while Arthur gripped the side rails and tried not to think about the fact that the man controlling his life had humiliated him only hours earlier.
When they reached the airfield, Grant’s plane was taxiing toward the runway.
State police vehicles approached from the opposite entrance, but the gate had been locked.
Rylan drove through a maintenance opening and stopped near the hangar.
Arthur climbed off slowly.
The plane halted.
Grant stepped onto the stairs holding a leather case.
“You really are losing your mind,” he shouted. “Riding motorcycles now?”
Arthur leaned on his cane.
“Claire testified.”
Grant’s confidence faltered.
“She’s emotional.”
“Ethan recorded you.”
“Illegal recording.”
“Rourke was arrested.”
Grant looked toward the approaching state vehicles.
Then he laughed.
“You think this ends with me in handcuffs and you sitting behind your desk again?”
“I am not returning to that desk.”
Grant stared at him.
Arthur continued.
“You were right about one thing. I taught you that results mattered more than people. I praised you when profits rose and ignored the methods you used.”
“So this is your fault?”
“My failures are mine. Your crimes are yours.”
Grant descended the stairs.
“You always get to sound noble after everyone else pays the price.”
Claire’s SUV stopped behind the hangar.
She stepped out with Sadie and Ethan.
Grant’s face changed when he saw them.
“Claire, take the children home.”
“They are already home,” she replied. “With me.”
“You signed those transfers.”
“Because you lied to me.”
“No jury will believe that.”
“Maybe not.”
Claire walked closer.
“But they will believe the cameras you installed in our house.”
Grant went still.
Ethan had told Marcus about the surveillance system. The recordings were automatically backed up through a home security company.
Grant had recorded his own threats, instructions, and conversations for nearly two years.
He had wanted complete control.
Instead, he had created a record of his abuse.
State police entered the airfield.
Grant looked toward the plane, then at the family standing across from him.
For a second, Arthur thought he might run.
Instead, Grant placed the leather case on the ground.
“You’ll lose the company without me,” he told Arthur.
“Then the company deserves to be lost.”
Grant was arrested.
As officers led him away, he turned toward Claire.
“You’ll come back.”
Claire did not answer.
She stood between her children and watched him disappear into the patrol car.
Arthur thought the worst was over.
Then Margaret called from headquarters.
The surviving pension records had been examined.
Grant had not transferred all twenty-seven million dollars.
May you like
Seven million had been moved through an account opened eighteen years earlier.
The account bore Arthur Hale’s verified signature.
