Daniel and I traveled north the following morning through quiet highways until we reached the deserted cabin near the water where we removed the third stone from the fireplace base exactly as Grant described. Inside the hollow space we discovered a sealed envelope containing bank transfers, legal transcripts, and handwritten notes proving that Cynthia’s father accepted half a million dollars from the pharmaceutical company shortly before ruling in their favor during the trial.
Daniel believed the Daltons murdered Grant to prevent the scandal from destroying their family reputation and political influence.
We contacted an investigative reporter named Julia Grayson in Milwaukee who had a reputation for exposing corruption despite pressure from powerful figures, and she agreed to safeguard copies of the documents while advising us to obtain a recorded confession if possible.
Following her suggestion I invited Cynthia and Harold to my house under the pretense that I had discovered new information about Grant’s disappearance.