Released at 24, She Went Back to Her Father’s Old Body Shop — Under the Lift Sat a Welded Trunk
Chapter 10
Claire’s uncle was named Victor Hale.
He had changed his identity after disappearing.
For six years, he had operated through shell companies and stolen identities.
The body shop had been one of his fronts.
Claire’s father had discovered the truth.
Daniel had been forced to help him.
Rachel had stolen money to pay Daniel’s debts after Victor threatened him.
And Sheriff Reed had been blackmailed.
Everyone had been trapped.
But Claire still didn’t understand why Victor had framed her.
Then she found the answer.
Her father had transferred ownership of the body shop to Claire before his death.
That made her the legal owner.
Victor needed the property.
Because beneath the shop was an underground storage facility.
The welded trunk had been one piece of evidence.
But beneath the concrete floor were dozens of stolen vehicle identification plates, financial records, and weapons.
The shop wasn’t simply a body shop.
It was the center of Victor’s operation.
Claire stared at the evidence.
“My father wanted me to find this.”
Ethan nodded.
“He knew you’d come back.”
Suddenly, the lights went out.
Ethan reached for his weapon.
A voice came through the darkness.
“Hello, Claire.”
She froze.
Victor.
His voice was calm.
Almost friendly.
“You’ve caused a lot of trouble.”
Claire stepped forward.
“Where are you?”
“You’re standing on my property.”
“This belongs to me.”
Victor laughed.
“Your father thought the same thing.”
Claire felt rage rising.
“You killed him.”
“No.”
A pause.
“He killed himself.”
Claire stared into the darkness.
“You’re lying.”
“Am I?”
Victor continued.
“Ask yourself why he never told you the truth.”
Claire looked at Ethan.
Victor whispered:
“Because he was ashamed.”
Then the lights returned.
Victor was gone.
But a photograph lay on the floor.
Claire picked it up.
It showed her father.
Alive.
Standing beside Victor.
And behind them…
Claire.
As a child.
She had no memory of the photograph.
