Caleb Was Accused of Stealing From a Business Executive — Then Security Footage Showed Someone Secretly Planting It in His Backpack
Chapter 4 — Lydia’s Explanation
Lydia was brought downstairs twenty minutes later.
She looked furious.
Not frightened.
Mr. Dawson placed the security still in front of her.
“Explain this.”
Lydia stared at the image.
Then at Caleb.
“I made a mistake.”
Maria immediately said:
“You put stolen property inside a child’s backpack.”
Lydia looked down.
“I panicked.”
Richard folded his arms.
“Where is the memory card?”
Lydia said nothing.
“Lydia.”
“I destroyed it.”
Richard’s expression hardened.
“Why?”
“Because that video should never have been included in the anniversary materials.”
“You don’t get to decide that.”
Lydia looked toward Mr. Dawson.
“Someone had to.”
Mr. Dawson stared at her.
“Why are you looking at me?”
Lydia finally answered.
“Because your father asked my father to keep it buried.”
The room went silent.
Lydia’s father, Charles Crane, had served as Dawson Instruments’ general counsel for almost thirty years.
He died five years earlier.
Richard frowned.
“What exactly did Henry ask Charles to hide?”
Lydia looked toward Maria.
“A disagreement over credit.”
Maria’s face tightened.
“Credit for what?”
Lydia nodded toward Henry Dawson’s portrait in the lobby.
“Model Seven.”
Mr. Dawson looked stunned.
“You’re saying my father didn’t invent it?”
Lydia shook her head.
“I’m saying the story was more complicated.”
Richard stepped closer.
“Where is the card?”
Lydia looked away.
“I told you.”
“No.”
Richard shook his head.
“You removed it carefully, then planted the case. People don’t do that before destroying evidence.”
He looked toward security.
“Check where she went afterward.”
Lydia’s expression finally showed fear.
