What Grant Confessed Before He Died
Chapter 12 - What Grant Confessed Before He Died
Grant’s doctor contacted Ava.
Three weeks before his death, Grant had recorded a private statement.
He feared surgery and wanted the recording released only if he did not survive.
The doctor believed the message concerned family history, not a crime.
Grant survived the surgery.
He died months later from an unrelated heart attack.
The recording remained in the doctor’s safe.
Ethan, Laura, and Mason listened together.
Grant’s voice filled the room.
“I loved Ethan from the day he was born. That does not make what I did right.”
Laura closed her eyes.
Grant admitted placing the gas can.
He admitted revising the report.
He admitted intercepting Laura’s prison visit and letters.
Then he described the fire.
Luke confronted Grant and Caleb inside the garage.
A struggle began.
A lantern fell.
Grant escaped through the rear door.
Caleb locked the side entrance to delay Luke from reaching the ledger.
The flames spread faster than they expected.
Mason entered through a window and tried to save his brother.
Grant moved the gas can beside Mason’s unconscious body.
“I told myself Mason would take Laura away and expose everything. I told myself Ethan needed a respectable father.”
Grant paused on the recording.
“The truth is I wanted Mason’s life.”
Ethan stood and left the room.
He walked into the yard and dropped to his knees.
Mason followed but kept several feet away.
“I gave the eulogy,” Ethan said.
“You spoke about the man you knew.”
“He watched me become a soldier. He talked about honor.”
“People often preach hardest about the thing they betrayed.”
Ethan looked at him.
“I loved him.”
“I know.”
“You should hate me for that.”
Mason shook his head.
“No child chooses the man who raises him.”
Ethan’s voice broke.
“I am not a child.”
“No.”
Mason moved closer.
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“But part of you still is when it comes to him.”
Ethan finally let Mason place a hand on his shoulder.
