Hero(121)

“He is.” I tried to wrap my head around the revelation. It was just too surreal. Like I was standing outside myself, watching this play out in a movie. “But I don’t understand …” I searched Caine’s face for answers. “The article about me came out after the attack. How did Matthew know about me?”

“Maybe he found out some other way,” Caine mused.

“That still doesn’t explain why he wanted to hurt me.” I looked over at my father, who was standing silently in the corner. “Do you know why?”

He shook his head, looking lost. “I haven’t spoken to Matthew in years …”

“It’s my fault.” My grandfather’s voice startled me, making me jump.

My heart began to pound at the sight of him entering the room. “What are you doing here?”

He stepped toward me, and the officers watched him warily. He was ashen, his expression stark. “Caine called me. I got on a plane.” He anxiously searched my face. “Please tell me you’re okay.”

“I’m going to be okay,” I said. “Now, what do you mean it’s your fault?”

“I changed my will.” His shoulders slumped with guilt and he faced the officers. “I’m Edward Holland. Alexa and Matthew’s grandfather.” He returned his attention to me. “It was time for me to do something right and not always put the Holland family ahead of everything else. I was proud of you … and I felt impotent not being able to take care of you like family should. Matthew wouldn’t know a hard day’s work if it bit him in the ass,” he said with venom. “I changed my will. Matthew has had every advantage in life handed to him and he’s a spoiled brat as a result. In the event of my death and my wife’s, you would be left with sixty-five percent of our assets. I didn’t know Matthew had made a deal with my attorney that included informing Matthew if I changed my will. I found out yesterday during a family … discussion … about Alexa. The bastard let it slip.”

Aghast, I couldn’t even speak.

“Sir.” Sergeant Garry stepped toward Grandpa. “Are you saying that the motive behind Matthew Holland’s attack on your granddaughter is an inheritance dispute?”

“An inheritance dispute.” I laughed bitterly. “He hired a hit man to kill me because of money.” I glanced over at my father. “Money. It’s so f*cking toxic.”

“Vernon Holts isn’t a hit man,” Tailor informed us. I stared at him in confusion. “He claims he met Holland in a bar one night and he bragged to Holland about his assault offenses and his skill with knives. Holland offered Holts a hundred grand to take you out.”

“But Holland didn’t do any research on this guy.” Garry shook his head in disgust. “Holts’s record show he’s had three restraining orders against him in the past six years from women he harassed. Talking to him …” His eyes were grave on me. “He admits Holland asked him to stop after the first attack failed. Holts refused. It appears the money became secondary to catching his prey.”

“He became fixated on Alexa,” Caine’s voice growled from above me.

“We believe so.” Tailor nodded. “Holts has been very forthcoming. He admits to following Alexa from the hospital to Mr. Carraway’s apartment and staking out the property ever since. With his statement and your grandfather’s, the Boston PD should be able to get a warrant to arrest Matthew Holland while they investigate.”

“Whether they find enough evidence against him to substantiate Holts’s claims is another thing,” Caine added impatiently.

I froze at the thought, realizing what he meant. “Matthew gets away with this if they can’t find physical evidence to connect him to it?”

“It’s possible,” Garry said, his voice filled with regret. “However, Holts has admitted guilt. We’re transferring him to Boston, and the officers on the case there will be taking over.”

I nodded, dazed. “Thank you for your help.”

When they were gone, Caine rounded the bed to grip my arms. “Alexa, this is all going to be all right.”

I scoffed. “How? It’s like watching a shitty movie and I’m stuck to the chair and the remote is all the way across the room.” I leaned into him slightly. “My half brother hired a crazy ex-con to kill me. Do you know how insane that is?”

“Yes, I do.” His eyes blazed with anger. “I know the lengths people are willing to go to for money. I’ve been a victim to it, and a victim for it. You’re in a room with two other people who have as well.”