Chapter 16 - Gabriel tells me what he saw before the garage

Gabriel had followed Ethan for nine days.

Court-authorized? Private investigator can observe public places. No wiretaps. No entering private areas without permission. He logged:

Office exits.

Restaurants.

Hotel lobby.

Cole Advisory building.

Airport travel agency? Public.

He did not track GPS illegally.

He used public observation and corporate-authorized garage access? The garage belonged to Warren HQ, company committee authorized investigator access. Good.

Two nights before my labor, Ethan and Vanessa met in the garage.

Suitcases.

Document case.

They discussed Paris within camera? Gabriel overheard only fragments from public garage.

“After closing.”

“Apartment.”

“Claire.”

No secret recording if state consent law uncertain. He took contemporaneous notes, not covert audio.

Then Ethan handed Vanessa the document case.

Gabriel photographed.

Later Cole produced case contents under subpoena.

Board consents.

Contracts.

Copies of financial projections.

No originals stolen.

Then Ethan said something Gabriel heard clearly:

“Once we’re gone, Margaret can yell at email.”

That sounded bad.

Ethan later explained:

He meant marriage lawyer.

But Margaret was company counsel too.

Then:

“Claire won’t stop closing.”

Again.

Did he believe I lacked authority?

I could not personally stop approved sale.

Fee dispute different.

Then Gabriel saw Vanessa meet a Paris property broker by video from her phone? Not observable. No need.

More important:

He saw Ethan return alone to office at 11:40 p.m. and remain until 1:10.

IT logs showed he accessed board portal and final consent PDF during that window.

That linked him to altered document after Paula created it.

He had time to notice signature.

Could he credibly say he did not?

Possible.

But harder.

Then Gabriel said:

“Your husband saw me the next morning.”

“What?”

“He looked straight at me outside coffee shop.”

“In the homeless clothes?”

“No. Suit.”

“And?”

“He took a picture.”

Sent to security.

Building removed Gabriel later.

Then:

“Why didn’t Ethan cancel Paris?”

“He may have thought I was divorce surveillance.”

That made sense.

A cheating husband sees investigator and thinks affair.

Not audit.

Then Gabriel looked at me.

“You shouldn’t have come to the garage.”

“I know.”

“No.”

His voice stayed calm.

“You were in labor. You went looking for a man who had already demonstrated he was withholding major information. That was dangerous.”

I bristled.

“You’re not my father.”

“No.”

“Then don’t lecture.”

He nodded.

“Fair.”

I liked him more.

Then he said:

“But Vanessa knew you were in labor.”

I stared.

“How?”

Text from Ethan:

Claire says contractions started. I told her go home or hospital. She may come here because she’s stubborn.

Vanessa received at 5:58.

She replied:

I’ll deal with her if she shows.

Ethan:

No. Stay away.

Vanessa:

Fine.

She lied.

She waited in garage.

That showed premeditated confrontation.

Not necessarily assault.

But she intentionally placed herself there.

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Then Gabriel's evidence went to prosecutor.

Vanessa’s sentencing recommendation worsened? Could consider planning. Still later.