Chapter 4 - THE INTERROGATION
Julian had to recuse himself from the investigation, but the lead detective, Detective Vargas, came to the hospital to take my official statement.
"Mrs. Hayes," Vargas said gently, opening his notepad. "Your mother is claiming self-defense. She says you attacked Preston first to get the keys, and she intervened to protect him."
"Maya has a video," I replied.
Vargas paused, his pen hovering over the paper. "Excuse me?"
"Maya was recording the toast right before it happened. She didn't catch the whole thing, but she caught my mother grabbing the pitcher and swinging it while I was stepping backward, away from Preston."
Vargas smiled, a slow, predatory grin. "Well, that changes everything. But there's another piece to this puzzle. We pulled the financial records on your father's estate to establish a motive for why he was giving away your vehicle."
Julian crossed his arms. "And?"
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"Richard Hayes is broke," Vargas revealed. "His investment firm is drowning in debt. He owed Preston's family a massive balloon payment on a real estate loan. The SUV was a desperate down payment to buy him another month. He was going to forge your signatures on the title transfer."
The 'engagement blessing' was a cover-up for a massive financial failure. My father had literally sold me out to save his own pride.
