Chapter 6 - VICTOR TALKED
Victor Hale cooperated.
Not because he became a good person.
Because he wanted less trouble for himself.
That distinction mattered.
According to investigators, Daniel had told Victor he needed “one clean way out.”
Out of debt.
Out of the marriage.
Out of financial obligations.
Victor initially claimed he thought Daniel meant divorce.
Then messages appeared.
Daniel:
If both are gone, everything resets.
Victor:
Don’t write things like that.
Daniel:
I’m serious.
Victor stopped responding for several hours.
Then later:
This is insane.
Not enough to save us.
Enough to show he understood something dangerous was being discussed.
Why didn’t he warn me?
He said he thought Daniel was venting.
People always find softer verbs after something terrible happens.
Venting.
Joking.
Spiraling.
May you like
Nobody wants to admit they heard danger and chose not to name it.
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