CHAPTER 27: GRAYSON

Grayson begins the chapter by importing the photographs he took of Gigi’s key and using his hand for scale to calculate the key’s dimensions. He builds a digital model from the images and asks the Haywood-Astyria concierge for a 3D printer, taking advantage of the hotel’s willingness to satisfy unusual requests from black-card guests.

After finishing the working model, Grayson creates a second, nearly identical file with altered teeth so it will not work. The choice shows that Grayson intends to control what Gigi can access or what she receives, even though he feels a flicker of guilt. He then turns to a more mundane but unfamiliar problem: figuring out what to wear to a high school party where blending in, rather than looking armored in a suit, is necessary.

Grayson’s phone call with private investigator Zabrowski redirects him to the Grayson family’s financial situation. Zabrowski reports that Kent Trowbridge is a wealthy, well-connected lawyer from a legal dynasty and that Kent grew up alongside Acacia Engstrom, meaning the Trowbridge and Engstrom families have longstanding ties.

Zabrowski then reveals that Acacia Grayson’s finances are in serious trouble. Her jointly held assets with Sheffield Grayson have been frozen or seized because Sheffield is under IRS and FBI investigation, and Acacia’s own trust was drained, presumably by Sheffield before he disappeared. Grayson notes internally that Sheffield did not flee the country, making the explanation incomplete.

Grayson learns that Gigi and Savannah’s trusts are intact and substantial, but neither Acacia nor Sheffield controls them. Kent Trowbridge is likely the trustee, which means Acacia may need Kent’s approval to use her daughters’ money for living expenses. Remembering Kent’s possessive physical gesture toward Acacia, Grayson orders Zabrowski to obtain the trust paperwork, investigate the federal probes, and recommend someone who can discreetly make keys.