Christine squinted her eyes. “So you’re suggesting that Natalie Ratcliff got a hold of Victoria Ford’s manuscripts and plagiarized them, word for word, after Victoria died?”

“No, I don’t think so. Emma said Victoria was extremely protective of her work and didn’t let anyone read her manuscripts. Emma has never read any of them. Not even Jasper Ford, Victoria’s husband, was allowed to see them. Victoria was too insecure to let anyone read them.”

“Then how did her work end up in the pages of Natalie Ratcliff’s novels?”

“That’s where you’re going to think I’ve gone mad.”

“Too late,” Christine said. “Just spit it out at this point.”

“I’ve spent the weekend reviewing the case against Victoria Ford. It was flawed, no doubt. And I think I can poke some serious holes in it that will intrigue the American Events audience. I have more research to do on that front, and plan to go through the rest of the case later today. But despite whatever holes I’m able to find, at the time of the original investigation the hard evidence against Victoria was solid. DNA evidence put her at the scene. The media had all but convicted Victoria in the court of public opinion. There was no doubt that she would be indicted and arrested, and that a trial would follow. One that, based on the evidence Victoria knew about at the time, would have likely ended in her conviction.”

“Okay,” Christine said. “Again, what do these manuscripts have to do with it?”

“Victoria was in a dire situation. She knew the evidence pointed to her. And she knew, on the morning of September 11 when she met with her attorney, that it was only a matter of time before she was arrested. She knew that she would likely be convicted. According to my interview with Victoria’s attorney, he laid out the grim prognosis for her that morning. Then, in the middle of Victoria’s meeting with her attorney, the first plane struck the North Tower . . .”

Avery walked over to the desk where her laptop stood. She sat down in the chair and looked at Christine. “And with that plane, an opportunity presented itself.”

“An opportunity to do what?” Christine asked.

“To disappear.”

CHAPTER 44 - Manhattan, NY Sunday, July 4, 2021

CHAPTER 44

Manhattan, NY Sunday, July 4, 2021

AVERY SPOKE THE WORDS WITH CONFIDENCE. SHE KNEW CHRISTINE wouldn’t believe that someone would fake their own death and disappear. But Avery had personal experience with someone disappearing to avoid indictment and prison, and she knew it was possible. Desperate people are capable of anything, and often find ways to convince the people who love them most to help.

“Disappear, meaning?” Christine asked.

“Meaning Victoria used 9/11 to solve all her problems.”

“You’re saying what, exactly, Ave?”

“What if Victoria Ford didn’t die that morning?”